5 Dark-Horse Candidates to Make Cleveland Browns' Final 53-Man Roster

As training camp approaches, most of the discussion about the Cleveland Browns is centering around players likely to make the final 53-man roster—players like quarterback Johnny Manziel and rookies Danny Shelton and Cam Erving.

But there are other names slipping through the cracks who could ultimately prove worthy of spots on the Browns' final roster come September. Here are five dark-horse candidates who may earn surprise appearances on Cleveland's roster this year.

CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu

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Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, a 2015 seventh-round draft pick, is still recovering from a serious knee injury he suffered in December. Ekpre-Olomu tore his ACL and dislocated his knee, an injury that took him from as high as Round 1 in the draft to its final round.

According to ESPNCleveland.com's Tony Grossi, Ekpre-Olomu said that he's not yet cleared to run and will be meeting with his medical team in California in the gulf between the Browns' minicamp and training camp. Ekpre-Olomu is optimistic that he can participate in training camp at some point, which would increase his odds of making the team's 53-man roster this year.

Though the nature of Ekpre-Olomu's injury is so severe that a medical redshirt year for the rookie may be the ultimate outcome, should he be cleared for training camp practices, he could prove too talented for the Browns to keep away from the 53-man roster. In four years at Oregon, he totaled 244 combined tackles, nine interceptions and 43 passes defended.

The Browns aren't hard up for cornerback talent—especially young cornerback talent. But if Ekpre-Olomu can defy medical odds, he could force his way onto the Browns' 53-man roster.

OL Tyler Loos

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Much like at cornerback, the Browns aren't lacking offensive linemen, especially ones who can provide versatile depth. And like Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, rookie Tyler Loos has an extensive injury history. But unlike Ekpre-Olomu, Loos isn't currently hurt and can participate in training camp. If he has a good showing there, that may be all it takes for the Browns to make room on their 53-man roster for another offensive lineman.

Though the Browns boast one of the top starting offensive lines in the NFL and boast high-end depth behind it, Loos' pedigree as a left tackle means his skill set could translate to up to four positions. That's a valuable thing in the NFL, with rosters limited to 53 men. Loos could take the place of at least two reserve offensive linemen, which could mean he backs his way into the Browns' final roster.

RB Luke Lundy

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The Browns' top three spots on the roster belonging to running backs are already set—Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West and Duke Johnson will be atop the depth chart. But those aren't the only backs the Browns will keep this year. And undrafted rookie Luke Lundy could be the fourth or fifth.

Lundy, a 26-year-old collegiate journeyman, finished out his career in small-school Ottawa in Kansas. In 2014, he totaled 288 carries for 1,576 yards and 17 touchdowns, an average of 5.5 yards per carry and 131.3 yards per game. Though those stat lines won't necessarily translate to NFL production, Lundy's performance last year at least should earn him a few key touches during Cleveland's four preseason games.

And if he can produce five or more yards per carry in those situations, the Browns may have no choice but to promote him to the active roster over the likes of return man (and running back) Shaun Draughn. Lundy, in that case, would either be No. 4 or No. 5 on the depth chart with Glenn Winston.

WR Darius Jennings

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A year ago, unknown, undrafted rookie Taylor Gabriel had a strong summer, one that led him to the team's 53-man roster. And now, he sits as the Browns' second-leading receiver in 2014. That ascension is why another small, undrafted rookie receiver could earn himself a roster spot this year.

That player is Darius Jennings. Jennings played four years at Virginia, totaling 133 receptions for 1,667 yards and 11 scores while also rushing 38 times for 183 yards and a score, with 24 of those carries coming in 2014. That versatility as a rusher and a receiver could be useful for the Browns, who could throw passes out of the backfield to Jennings or also run trick plays using him.

Though the Browns' receiving corps is undersized given the presences of 5'7" Andrew Hawkins and 5'8" Gabriel, the 5'9" Jennings plays taller, much like Hawkins and Gabriel. And the Browns will gladly take playmakers wherever they can get them—especially homegrown ones like Jennings. If Jennings really is that playmaker, he should be one of the final men given a roster spot this year.

WR/QB Terrelle Pryor

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On one hand, the Browns' signing of Terrelle Pryor—as a wide receiver or as anything—simply looks like an offseason flier, one that won't necessarily and doesn't have to pan out come the regular season. On the other hand, though, Pryor's talent is undeniable, so much so that the Browns may have to find a place for him on the 53-man roster this year.

Though the Browns announced that Pryor will be competing at wide receiver this summer, Pryor believes he's more of a "slash" player—that is, quarterback-slash-wide receiver—and that he can make a positive contribution in Cleveland.

He said to Trib Total Media's Kevin Gorman in late June, "I'm going to give this slash-player deal a chance. I just want to play football. I'm a playmaker, and I believe if I can touch the ball, I can go to the house, especially if I have space. This should definitely open up some opportunities."

Helping Pryor's case is that current Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo was Pryor's quarterbacks coach with the Oakland Raiders. He will also be working out with receivers Antonio Brown and Randy Moss before Cleveland's training camp begins at the end of the month, and if any wideouts can help him hone his craft, it's these two.

Pryor could not only force a wide receiver off of the Browns roster, but also a quarterback, with fourth-stringer Thaddeus Lewis the most threatened of the bunch. Regardless of how the Browns truly plan to use him, Pryor could sneak into the 53-man roster. It's hard to name any player on the team with more athletic talent.