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July 20, 2013Cornerback Leon McFadden, a third-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft, has reached a four-year contract agreement with the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Friday evening.
The Browns reached a deal with their seventh-round draft pick, defensive end Armonty Bryant, earlier in the day on Friday. Neither player, nor still-unsigned No. 6 overall selection DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo, had reached deals with the Browns as of yesterday with rookies scheduled to report to training camp today.
McFadden, 22, was highly regarded out of San Diego State despite being an undersized cornerback at only 5-foot-10. He was a three-year starter for the Aztecs after being initially recruited as a wide receiver. He had 61 total tackles and three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) in the 2012 season.
Famously, McFadden said in his draft day press phone call that: “I didn’t really speak to the Cleveland Browns. This was a big surprise to me. I didn’t talk to them much, other than basic questionnaires. But other than that, I didn’t know of their interest in me at all.”
On the opposite side of All-Pro Joe Haden, the Browns currently have a cornerback competition between McFadden, 2011 fifth-rounder Buster Skrine, 2012 seventh-rounder Trevin Wade, last year’s undrafted free agent Jonathan Bademosi, and free agent signings Chris Owens and Kevin Barnes. McFadden was expected to immediately compete for the starting position, as he comes with the highest pedigree background of all the options currently on roster.
[Related: WFNY weighs in on the Cleveland Browns’ 2013 draft]
2 Comments
If I remember correctly, Brian Sipe (QB Coach at SDSU; former Browns QB during Kardiac Kids Era under Coach Sam Rutigliano) had many good things to say about this rookie.
Honestly, I was more “concerned” about McFadden starting late than Mingo. At least at LB, we have depth and if Mingo – who is splitting time anyway – is a few days behind it isn’t as big of a deal. But McFadden is expecting to start opposite Haden, so we really need him as ready as possible.
That said, I have a feeling Mingo will be signed pretty fast.