The Browns announced the signing of 18 undrafted free agents today.
The Browns announced the signing of 18 undrafted free agents, including Paul Kruger's brother Dave. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Outside linebacker Paul Kruger's younger brother Dave and three local products are among the 18 undrafted rookies signed by the Browns in the wake of the draft.
The list includes five receivers, five offensive linemen, three defensive linemen, two defensive backs, two tight ends and one running back, all of whom will participate in the rookie minicamp May 10-12.
The lucky dozen-and-a-half need only to scour the roster to see the opportunity that awaits them: four undrafted players showed up for rookie camp last season and made the roster. Not only did they make the team, they made significant contributions.
They are receiver Josh Cooper, linebacker L.J. Fort, cornerback Johnson Bademosi and safety Tashaun Gipson, who will battle for the starting free safety job this season. Cooper played in six games, Fort and Bademosi played in all 16 games, with Bademosi leading the team with 18 special teams tackles..
Here are bios from the Browns release:
Aaron Adams: Four-year letterman at Eastern Kentucky (2009-12) ... Appeared in 44 games, starting at both right and left tackle ... Helped the Colonels finish No. 16 in FCS coaches poll in 2012 en route to earning a third team AP All-America selection ... Attended John I. Leonard High School in Florida, and Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.
Perez Ashford: Appeared in 48 career games at Northern Illinois (2009-12) ... Totaled 110 career receptions for 1,192 yards, adding 83 yards rushing and 410 return yards for 1,685 all-purpose yards ... Added four receiving touchdowns and one punt return for a score ... Caught 34 passes for 373 yards and one touchdown as a senior ... Attended Shaker Heights (Ohio) High School.
Josh Aubrey: A four-time all-conference selection at Stephen F. Austin (2009-12) ... Started 46 of the 47 games in which he saw action and totaled 255 tackles, seven interceptions, 29 passes defensed and 3.5 sacks ... As a senior, recorded 65 tackles, two interceptions, eight passes defensed, two sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble ... Attended Lee High School in Houston, Texas.
Braxston Cave: Four-year letterman at the Notre Dame (2009-12) ... Started 35 of 48 career games and also served as the team's long snapper ... Part of an offensive line that helped the Irish average more than 200 yards per game in both rushing and receiving during the 2012 regular season ... Attended Penn High School in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Jamaine Cook: Played four years Youngstown State (2009-12) and finished second in school history with 4,052 rushing yards and 20 individual 100-yard rushing performances, while adding 39 touchdowns on 811 attempts ... Totaled more than 1,200 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores in each of his three seasons as a starter ... Rushed for 1,279 yards with 15 touchdowns on 279 carries in 2012 ... Attended Midpark High School in Middleburg Heights.
Dominique Croom: Finished career at Central Arkansas (2009-12) fifth in school history in receptions (153) and sixth in receiving yards (1,941), while appearing in 47 games ... As a senior, caught 53 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns ... Attended Cherokee (Indiana) High School.
Keenan Davis: Appeared in 48 games at Iowa (2009-12) ... Totaled 112 career receptions for 1,470 yards and seven touchdowns ... As a senior, registered 47 receptions for 571 yards with one touchdown ... Attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mike Edwards: Two-year starter at Texas-El Paso (2011-12) after transferring from Mt. San Antonio College (2010) in Walnut, California ... Compiled 101 receptions for 1,477 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons at UTEP ... Helped Mt. San Antonio College to the 2010 state and national championship ... Attended Glendora (California) High School.
Paipai Falemalu: Four-year letterman at Hawaii (2009-12) ... Totaled 161 career tackles, 16.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumble in 41 contests... Tied for the team lead with 56 tackles as a senior, while adding five sacks ... Attended Kahuku High School on the island of O'ahu in Hawaii.
Chris Faulk: Appeared in 26 games at LSU (2009, 2011-12) with 16 starts ... Spent time at both left and right tackle ... Appeared in just one game as a junior (2012) after suffering a knee injury in practice ... Attended Northshore High School in Slidell, La.
Caylin Hauptmann: Started all 37 games he played at Florida International (2010-12) at left tackle ... Spent one season at the College of Canyons (2009) in Santa Clarita, Calif., before transferring to FIU ... Attended Beverly Hills (California) High School.
Garrett Hoskins: Four-year letterman at Eastern Michigan (2009-12) ... Finished career with 74 catches for 1,135 yards and eight touchdowns ... As a senior, led the Eagles in receptions with 38, while adding 542 yards and three touchdowns ... Attended Creston High School in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Dave Kruger: Started 37 of 49 career games at Utah (2009-12) ... Totaled 116 career tackles, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble ... Brother, Paul, is a linebacker for the Browns and brother, Joe, was selected by Philadelphia in the seventh round in this year's draft ... Attended Timpanogos High School in Orem, Utah.
Cordell Roberson: Finished career at Stephen F. Austin (2009-12) as the school's all-time leader in receptions (221), receiving yards (3,191) and touchdown catches (39) ... His 39 touchdown receptions also set a Southland Conference record ... Recorded 77 receptions for 1,006 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games as a senior ... Attended Jefferson (Texas) High School.
Justin Staples: Appeared in 48 games at Illinois (2009-12)... Totaled 62 career tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery... Attended St. Edward High School in Lakewood.
Travis Tannahill: Four-year letterman at Kansas State (2009-12) ... Appeared in 51 games and had 42 receptions for 528 yards with three touchdowns ... Earned first team All-Big 12 honors (Coaches, AP) as a senior and earned honorable mention All-America honors from Sports Illustrated... Attended Olathe (Kansas) East High School.
Ricky Tunstall: Four-year letterman at Delaware (2009-12) ... Saw action in 44 contests with 12 starts, registering 101 tackles, nine interceptions, eight passes defensed and one sack ... Returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns, including a 91-yard return ... Native of Bridgeton, N.J., who attended Glassboro (N.J.) High School.
Martin Wallace: Three-year letterman at Temple (2010-12), where he started in all 36 games that he appeared at both right and left tackle ... Transferred to Temple from Northeastern after the school dropped its football program ... Second-team All-Big East selection at right tackle as a senior ... Native of New York, N.Y., where he attended the Beacon School.