Cleveland Browns OTA Standouts Worth Keeping an Eye on This Offseason

Phase three of the Cleveland Browns' OTAs remain underway, continuing through the week. However, some players have already made their on-field presence known. 

Here are five Browns who, based on reports coming out of the team's most recent OTA practices, appear to be players to watch as the offseason continues.

OL Cameron Erving

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It was not surprising that the Browns were so high on offensive lineman Cameron Erving, given that they used one of their two Round 1 draft picks on him this year. And he's already showing why the Browns wanted him so badly.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto wrote on Saturday that the versatile Erving has "played every spot on the offensive line" during OTAs, except that of left guard, which belongs to second-year player Joel Bitonio. Pluto wrote, "The coaches were impressed with Erving's ability to quickly grasp the blocking schemes for the different positions."

Pluto noted that Erving even played left tackle, a job that has been Joe Thomas' since 2007, proving that Erving can handle the position if called upon this year.

Though it's more likely that Erving will be the Browns' starting right guard or right tackle this year, his positional versatility means that should any starter go down with injury, as center Alex Mack did in 2014, Erving will be able to step in and keep the line performing at a high level. Erving could easily be the Browns' best 2015 draft pick.

DL Xavier Cooper

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Another rookie turning heads at OTAs thus far is defensive lineman Xavier Cooper. ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi wrote last week that, "Cooper looked disruptive in the interior of the defensive line. He pried two balls from the backs." 

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto also came away with a positive impression of Cooper, saying, "Cooper impressed with his quickness, especially his explosive first step while rushing the passer." He added that he believes Cooper will be a Browns starting defensive end this year.

Though the Browns have a rotational defensive front, Cooper's athleticism will bring a boost to a line that not only needs to get better at defending the run but also at rushing the passer. So far, Cooper has proved an asset in both areas.

RB Terrance West

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The early going of OTAs presented an opportunity for second-year running back Terrance West. Rookie Duke Johnson was excused last week to attend to a family matter, allowing West to get more carries than he otherwise would. That is good news for a back who spent much of his rookie season in head coach Mike Pettine's doghouse.

Now, a refocused West is ready to embrace what should be a major role for him this year in a Browns offense that promises to be a run-heavy one. West, speaking with the Northeast Ohio Media Group's Dan Labbe on Saturday, said, "They always tell me—like, Jim Brown—tell me I got great talent. I got a chance to be one of the best running backs."

This came on the heels of West speaking with ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi on Thursday, saying, "I like to have fun. Very respectable. Me, I'm never gonna forget who I am. But there's a time and place for everything. When I'm here, it's work. When I'm outside the building, I'm gonna have fun. But in the right way."

West is trying to regain his starting job from fellow second-year back Isaiah Crowell, while staving off Johnson. For what it's worth, West seems to be on the right path, saying to Grossi that he's "just learning from my mistakes and not making the same mistakes over and over."

LB Scott Solomon

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Because linebacker Barkevious Mingo is still not cleared to practice following offseason shoulder surgery, Scott Solomon has been filling in with the starters. And so far, he's looked good. Last year, Solomon came to the Browns in October and did not play until the final two games of the season. But he was impressive in those two outings, totaling eight combined tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Now, the Browns see pass-rushing potential in Solomon, something that could get him on the field regularly this year even once Mingo is healthy.

Head coach Mike Pettine said, per Kevin Jones of the Browns' official website, "Scott showed us toward the end of the year what he's capable of. Now that he'll have been here through a full offseason—that's tough when you come to a team mid-stream. The reps that he was getting were off of a scout card. That's when we really took notice of him. We're looking for some big things from Scott."

With the Browns totaling only 31 team sacks last year, any help they can get to bring pressure to quarterbacks will be welcome. And it appears that Solomon could earn himself some pass-rushing snaps if he continues to turn coaches' heads this summer.

CB Justin Gilbert

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The Browns selected Justin Gilbert in Round 1 of the 2014 NFL draft, but his season didn't entirely go as planned. An off-the-field issue had Gilbert distracted as a rookie, and though he totaled a combined 29 tackles, an interception returned for a touchdown and eight passes defensed, he also was benched in Week 17.

Now, Gilbert is ready to prove his worth to his team. Scout.com's Fred Greetham spoke with head coach Mike Pettine about Gilbert last week, and Pettine has come away impressed with Gilbert, saying, "Justin's had a good spring. I thought he looked very energetic out there." The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto, too, has liked what he's seen from Gilbert, saying:

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I've been hearing good things about Justin Gilbert, who seems to be far more serious in his approach.

Gilbert has the physical gifts to be a good defensive back in the NFL. It's worth mentioning that he had some nice moments in OTAs and training camp last year, then lost focus. He was late for meetings and not always prepared.  So the challenge is for the 2014 first-rounder to stay on course.

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It will be worth watching whether Gilbert can be a more consistent player throughout the summer and regain some of the footing he lost in his rookie year.