We are now less than a week away from cutdowns around the NFL and with that comes players that teams would like to get back to the practice squad.

Cleveland Browns specifically have had good contributions from undrafted players and a few unheralded players, in general, this preseason.

Yesterday, I highlighted five offensive players on the current roster that make sense to get to the practice squad.

When Cleveland trims their roster next week, they’re going to have to cut a few defenders that could end up being contributors in the NFL. Today, I’m going through and finding five players that Cleveland will ideally get to their practice squad on the defensive side of the ball.

As it currently stands, I don’t have any of these players making the 53-man roster, though that does not mean their time with Cleveland is over.

DE Lonnie Phelps

Phelps was able to get home and record his first sack of the preseason against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, a game in which he had two tackles as well.

With a current injury to Alex Wright, who I have making the 53-man, it makes sense for the Browns to keep Phelps around. Phelps was productive in college at Kansas, putting together 15.5 sacks over his last two seasons.

Cleveland gave Phelps $300k as an undrafted free agent to persuade him to sign. The rookie has a quick first step as his calling card. Continuing to develop him could pay off in the long run. Not that it means much, but he hails from Ohio as well, attending Mount Healthy High School.

LB Charlie Thomas III

Thomas is a slippery linebacker that thrives closer to the line of scrimmage. Despite being undersized, Thomas was heralded as a solid tackler coming out of Georgia Tech. In 2022 with the Yellow Jackets, Thomas put together 112 tackles (10 TFL), two sacks, and two interceptions.

Injuries depleted the Browns’ linebacker room last year to the point they were having to start players from the practice squad. With the injury history in the linebacker room, they should be more prepared for that scenario going forward.

So far in the preseason, Thomas has a couple of tackles and flashed his skill with a tackle for loss against the Eagles.

The rookie linebacker falls into that mold of a player like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with less coverage ability. He has the ability to fly around and make plays. Thomas is my prime target in terms of a linebacker on the practice squad.

CB Chris Westry

Westry is a player that you can potentially get to the practice squad that has some starting experience. With the Ravens in 2021, Westry started two games and played in six total.

Cleveland has two cornerbacks in Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome that have missed time in each season they’ve been in the NFL. You have to be ready for that to happen and the depth being tested.

Injuries have hampered Westry some himself this preseason but putting him on the practice squad gives you a capable body if they need to call upon him. If a player like A.J. Green is cut at the position, he would be ideal for the role, but I could see him being claimed elsewhere.

DT Tommy Togiai

Through two seasons with the Browns, Togiai has shown nothing to the level that makes you think he’s a capable rotational tackle. Coming out of Ohio State, Togiai was as strong as it gets. Once getting to the NFL, you have to rely on technique too, which hasn’t been great for Togiai.

The third-year player is sure to be cut but may be worth keeping on the practice squad. I don’t believe that Togiai is dead in the water in terms of where his career is going, he could still develop.

Cleveland overhauled the interior of the defensive line a bit but one injury and they could be hurting.

S D’Anthony Bell

Last year it was Bell making the roster as an undrafted free agent, this year I have Ronnie Hickman taking his spot at the same position. It isn’t necessarily anything Bell has done, he’s been fine during training camp. However, Hickman has looked like one of the best defenders and a player that should have been drafted somewhere.

Bell would be a nice piece to get to the practice squad, though he very well could be claimed elsewhere. A safety that doesn’t shy away from big collisions and will lay a big hit.

As a rookie, Bell played 60 percent of the Browns’ special teams snaps. They can give those snaps to Hickman without a doubt. I’d feel great about Bell having to step in on any given Sunday, to say the least.

5 offensive players the Browns could look to put on the practice squad

Keeping these current players around for the Browns would be ideal.

Featured image via Ken Blaze USA TODAY-Sports.