UDFA rookie DE Lonnie Phelps doesn’t make the cut

The Browns part ways with the undrafted rookie.

The Cleveland Browns continue to trek toward their initial 53-man roster. After parting ways with preseason standout wide receiver Austin Watkins Jr., the Browns have now parted ways with undrafted rookie defensive end Lonnie Phelps as well. The Miami of Ohio to Kansas product will now be subject to waivers after his release from the Browns.

This is not unexpected as the Browns have a formidable pass rush up front led by Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Ogbo Okoronkwo. He was not going to make the roster over fourth rounder Isaiah McGuire. However, Phelps could find his way back onto the active roster if the Browns are forced to place Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas on Injured Reserve.

Phelps is a firm practice squad candidate if he clears waivers. His preseason tape was not overwhelmingly positive, so it would be shocking to see a team use a waiver claim to bring him onto their 53-man roster.

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Podcast: Could Lonnie Phelps be a fit for a Browns practice squad spot?

The former Jayhawk uses impressive athleticism to get after opposing quarterbacks

It was evident that the Cleveland Browns liked the skill set of Kansas pass rusher Lonnie Phelps based on the contract he signed. Before the Za’Darius Smith trade, it seemed as though Phelps had a good chance at stealing a roster spot after training camp.

He has a nice speed rush and likes to shoot the gap on the inside of offensive tackles. Phelps struggles against the run as a smaller rusher but he has a great motor and can get pressure on the quarterback. If you want to hear more about Phelps you can watch this episode on YouTube by clicking here.

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4-Down Territory: Worst NFL owners, biggest schedule beefs, undrafted players to watch

In this week’s “4-Down Teritory,” Doug and Kyle discuss worst owners, best undrafted free agents, and 2023 NFL schedule beefs.

In this week’s “4-Down Territory,” Kyle Madson of Niners Wire and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire get into a few important items as NFL teams put the first minicamps of the 2023 season in the books.

  1. Who is the worst owner in pro football history, and why might it be Dan Snyder?
  2. Who are the undrafted first-year players to watch as rookie minicamps turn to minicamps to training camps?
  3. Which team has the biggest legitimate beef with the NFL”s schedule-makers?
  4. And which team has the easiest path to success from a schedule perspective?

You can watch this week’s episode of “4-Down Territory” right here:

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Browns: 4 undrafted free agents with the best chance to make the 53-man roster

Which UDFAs have the best chance to make the roster?

From wide receiver Cedric Tillman to center Luke Wypler, the Cleveland Browns utilized their seven picks in the 2023 NFL draft to add depth and future contributors to their roster. They then added even more rookies to their roster, signing a couple of handfuls of undrafted free agents to their roster. While linebacker Mohamoud Diabate headlines this group, there is more than one player with a shot to make the final 53-man roster by the time training camp concludes.

Who has the best bet to see themselves on the active roster when Week 1 rolls around? Here are four undrafted free agents at positions of need who fit the bill.

Cleveland Browns UDFA profile: Lonnie Phelps, Edge, Kansas

Could the Kansas pass rusher find his way onto the 53-man roster?

After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft out of Kansas, pass rusher Lonnie Phelps signed a $250,000 guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Browns. The team believes that Phelps has some talent and the ability to compete for a roster spot giving out a contract of that size.

Phelps is a good athlete with a great speed rush, quick feet, and the ability to shoot the gap as a pass rusher. He registered an 8.45 relative athletic score during the predraft testing process with an impressive 4.55 40-yard dash at 244 pounds.

When he wins in the pass rush it’s a combination of his speed and leverage to go with a great motor that results in effort sacks and pressures. However, he does play high and lacks the elite play strength at the point of attack, especially in run defense.

If the Browns and Jim Schwartz can work on his hand usage and he can add some strength he could turn into a good rotational player in the NFL.

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Browns give Kansas UDFA pass rusher a massive contract

Can the former Jayhawk make the 53-man roster?

Under general manager Andrew Berry, the Cleveland Browns have shown they aren’t afraid to hand out large contracts for undrafted free agents they covet. This trend has continued this year as Aaron Wilson has reported that pass rusher Lonnie Phelps has secured a payday from the team. Wilson says the contract is for $250,000 guaranteed, including a $50,000 signing bonus.

Phelps is an intriguing player that should have a fair chance to battle for a roster spot as a pass rusher. This past season for the Jayhawks Phelps had an 18.9 pass rush win rate according to PFF. He is pretty strong in run support as well, with seven sacks this season and 8.5 sacks in 2021.

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1 edge rusher for the Vikings for every round of the 2023 NFL draft

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and @MattAnderson_8 highlighted one edge rusher the Minnesota Vikings could target from each round

The Minnesota Vikings face an intriguing decision in the upcoming NFL draft regarding their edge position. They signed Marcus Davenport in free agency with Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith still on the roster.

However, the decision becomes intriguing when considering the team’s confidence in this group beyond the 2023 season. Hunter and Davenport are slated to be free agents in 2024 and Smith requested his release earlier this offseason.

While it feels unlikely for the Vikings to select an edge rusher early, they could take one with the position having question marks in the future. Here is a list of one potential edge rusher in each round of the 2023 Draft for the Vikings.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Kansas Jayhawks: Stream, injury report, broadcast info for week 7

Trying to figure out where to find the Sooners game on Saturday? Here’s how to watch, stream or listen to Oklahoma vs. Kansas.

Oklahoma will face Kansas on Saturday, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Oklahoma Sooners need a win in the biggest of ways. Playing for pride, the Sooners have a lot to prove over the rest of the 2022 season. Progress and competitiveness are the name of the game moving forward and that starts with their matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Oklahoma Sooners enter Saturday as 9-point favorites over the 5-1 Jayhawks despite losing three straight and getting outscored by a wide margin.

Dillon Gabriel’s return is huge for this team, but will it be enough for the Oklahoma Sooners to end their losing streak and begin turning things around for the 2022 season? We’ll find out soon enough.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the game:

  • Date: Oct 15, 2022
  • Time: 11 a.m. CT
  • TV Channel: ABC
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)
  • Listen: Sreaming on the Varsity App

Oklahoma vs. Texas injury report:

Oklahoma

[autotag]T.D. Roof[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Elbow)

[autotag]Shane Whitter[/autotag], LB: Out for season (Shoulder)

[autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag], QB: Probable (concussion)

[autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], S: Doubtful (Undisclosed)

Kansas

[autotag]Jalon Daniels[/autotag], QB: Questionable (Shoulder)

[autotag]Jayson Gilliom[/autotag], S: Questionable (Undisclosed)

[autotag]Daniel Hinshaw[/autotag], Jr., RB: Out indefinitely (Undisclosed)

Players to watch:

Oklahoma

Dillon Gabriel, QB: 63.9% for 1,215 yards, 11 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. 25 carries, 126 yards and 2 touchdowns.

[autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] WR: 23 receptions for 436 yards and 3 touchdowns.

[autotag]Eric Gray[/autotag], RB: 77 carries for 519 yards, 3 touchdowns at 6.7 yards per carry.

[autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], RB: 51 carries, 247 yards, 2 touchdowns 4.8 yards per carry.

[autotag]Marcus Major[/autotag], RB: 33 carries, 164 yards, 4 touchdowns, 5 yards per carry.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag], LB: 55 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks.

[autotag]David Ugwoegbu[/autotag], LB: 54 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks.

[autotag]Reggie Grimes[/autotag], DE: 13 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble.

Kansas

[autotag]Jason Bean[/autotag], QB: 69.2% for 286 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. 12 carries, 53 yards and 1 touchdown.

[autotag]Devin Neal[/autotag], RB: 64 carries for 421 yards, 4 touchdowns at 6.6 yards per carry.

[autotag]Luke Grimm[/autotag], WR: 25 receptions for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns.

[autotag]Lawrence Arnold[/autotag], WR: 17 receptions for 235 yards and 1 touchdown.

[autotag]Rich Miller[/autotag], LB: 47 total tackles, two tackles for loss.

[autotag]Kenny Logan, Jr[/autotag]., S: 39 total tackles, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery.

[autotag]Lonnie Phelps[/autotag], DL: 28 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks.

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