Cleveland Browns: Early Rookie Progress Reports

The Cleveland Browns have kicked off phase three of their organized team activities. They will have 10 voluntary practice sessions before commencing mandatory minicamp in the middle of June. That will be the last time the Browns meet before training camp in July.

These workouts are most crucial for the Browns' rookies, who need to learn their new systems and build chemistry with their teammates. While Round 1 draft pick Danny Shelton won't be there, as he's prevented from taking part in OTAs and minicamps until after his June graduation, most of the team's other rookies are practicing this week. Here are early progress reports for key Cleveland rookies.

OL Cam Erving

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When the Browns selected offensive lineman Cam Erving at 19th overall in Round 1 of the 2015 draft, the questions immediately arose about where he'd be playing on the line in his rookie season. After all, such a talented and versatile offensive lineman isn't likely to sit out his first season in deference to the veterans.

Erving lined up at right guard on Tuesday, the spot that last year belonged to John Greco. Greco played first-team center while Alex Mack was held out of practice for precautionary reasons. Head coach Mike Pettine said following Tuesday's practices, via ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi, that Erving "will play all over the place… he'll get some left tackle work, as well"—left tackle, of course, being the position belonging to Joe Thomas.

Pettine is impressed with Erving so far, saying, "There's no reason to think—knowing the kid and his skill set—that he won't be able to do it," referring to the possibility that Erving could play multiple positions on the line this year. Expect to see Erving lined up at guard, center and tackle throughout the summer and potentially even into the regular season.

TE Randall Telfer

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It was expected to take some time for tight end Randall Telfer to take the field for the Browns. The sixth-round draft pick suffered a spate of injuries over his collegiate career, including a knee sprain paired with a torn meniscus that appeared, initially, to be the one to hold him back during the early part of Cleveland's workouts.

But now, it's his mid-foot fracture—or Lisfranc injury—that looks to keep him off the field the longest. Telfer suffered the injury in late December but did not undergo surgery until February, with the Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot noting that "such injuries are rare and hard to diagnose." The typical recovery time for such a surgery is at least six months and as many as eight.

Pettine told Cabot at a Browns golf outing that Telfer could miss as much as his entire rookie season. He's certainly not going to be a full participant when training camp begins in July; in fact, he could be on the physically unable to perform list to begin camp as well as the season. He could also be placed on the injured reserve-recall list or simply placed on the full IR, making his 2015 season a medical redshirt year.

The Browns were not anticipating much from the oft-injured Telfer in his rookie year, at least. They aren't lacking for tight end help, with Rob Housler, Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge their veterans and Malcolm Johnson another rookie capable of pitching in. Telfer is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, though, which could be a good sign for his ability to contribute at some point in 2015.

WR Vince Mayle

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Wide receiver Vince Mayle, selected in Round 4 of this year's draft, is the first wideout the Browns have drafted since Travis Benjamin in 2012. But Mayle has been limited so far in practices thanks to a fractured thumb.

Mayle first injured the thumb in January's Senior Bowl practices. He initially believed it was just a sprain, but X-rays at February's scouting combine revealed a fracture. Still, Mayle was a full participant at the combine, skipping only the bench press.

Upon returning to Washington State, Mayle's hand was placed in a cast, but he was told he didn't need surgery. He then participated in his pro day without the cast and re-injured the thumb.

According to the Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, Mayle did test out his thumb in rookie minicamp but found that he could not properly grip a football. He has continued to work in camps and OTAs, running routes and taking part in every drill he can besides catching the football. But surgery is in Mayle's future.

Fred Greetham of Scout.com's Orange and Brown Report reported on Tuesday that Mayle will be getting surgery on the fractured thumb. Though he was on the field, his thumb was wrapped in a cast. The surgery may cut into his participation in training camp, but head coach Mike Pettine is confident that Mayle will be ready for Week 1, saying to Cabot, "It should not be an issue in the fall."

RB Duke Johnson

David Richard/Associated Press

According to ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi, running back Duke Johnson, the Browns' Round 3 pick in this year's draft, is missing from OTAs this week due to a travel issue. It should be noted, however, that Johnson is the only drafted Browns rookie yet to sign his contract.

Still, the Browns anticipate a major role for Johnson. The Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot said in her Tuesday mailbag column that Johnson "will definitely press Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell for playing time, and might even win the job," but that a committee approach is more than likely how the Browns will handle the running back position this year.

Even then, Johnson is expected to play a major role beyond simply carrying the football. Cabot notes that "Johnson will see action early on as a third-down back, running and catching passes out of the backfield. He'll also return kicks and make an impact right away." 

Grossi noted that new coordinator John DeFilippo has made one major change to the offense: "Extended work on swing passes and outlets to the running backs." Though Johnson is not currently with his team, it's hard not to imagine that some of these new plays to the running backs are tailored with Johnson's skill set in mind.

DL Xavier Cooper

David Richard/Associated Press

Buried at the end of Tony Grossi's OTA report for ESPNCleveland.com on Tuesday was this note: "Rookie tackle Xavier Cooper looked disruptive in the interior of the defensive line. He pried two balls from the backs." Cooper, selected in Round 3 of the 2015 draft, was brought on to add another run-stopping component to the Browns' line, one that ranked dead last against opposing running backs in 2014. 

Cooper played at both end and tackle during rookie minicamp earlier this month. Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil praised Cooper to the Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot, saying:

"

We see him as what we call a 'big end' or a D-tackle. I see him as an explosive guy off the line of scrimmage that can get into the backfield and be disruptive. His first-step quickness is unbelievable. I think if you ask me or if you ask Weave (defensive line coach Anthony Weaver), our D-line coach, we thought he had probably the best first step of interior linemen in the draft. We had him ranked, as a coaching staff, very high.

"

Cooper himself noted his positional versatility, saying, "I'm quick enough and strong enough to play inside, but I'm also fast enough to rush the edge and athletic enough to rush the edge. I'm willing to do anything Coach Weaver plays me at."

Given that Cooper has already stripped the ball from running backs twice in just one practice, it's clear that the Browns were not only right in their assessment of his skills, but also seem to be on track to have a much better run-stopping defensive front this year.