The Tail End of the Draft: Speed, Analytics, and a Family Reunion

Welcome back to the deep waters of the draft, Cleveland. By the time day three of the NFL Draft rolls around, the casual fans have tuned out, but this is where the the front office geeks earn their keep. Andrew Berry's maneuvering in the late rounds and the undrafted free agent (UDFA) market always tell a compelling story about the Browns' roster-building philosophy.

Let's break down the Browns' fifth-round pick Justin Jefferson, seventh-round selection Carsen Ryan, and the highly intriguing UDFA signing of Logan Fano.

Justin Jefferson: Andrew Berry’s Linebacker “Type”

If there is one thing we’ve learned about Andrew Berry’s tenure, it’s that he has a very specific archetype for modern linebackers. The Browns don't want 250-pound thumpers who get exposed in coverage; they want heat-seeking missiles. Enter Justin Jefferson (Round 5, No. 149 overall).

Drafted out of Alabama, Jefferson is a prototypical Cleveland linebacker projection: severely undersized but boasting blazing, sideline-to-sideline speed. Sound familiar? He fits the same athletic profile that made Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (JOK) a star in the Browns defense.

Trait	Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah	Justin Jefferson
Height	6'1"	6'0"
Weight	221 lbs	223 lbs
Play Style	Space-backer / Sub-package	Speedy run-and-chase
College Pedigree	Notre Dame	Alabama (via JUCO)

Jefferson isn't going to take on pulling guards in the A-gap, but in a league where nickels and dimes are the base defense, having a guy who can run with tight ends and crossers is paramount. Jefferson brings his 4.5 speed to the special teams immediately and potentially to the linebacker rotation in short order. He is a ball of clay for Browns' standout linebacker coach Jason Tarver to mold.

Carsen Ryan: The Rare 7th Round Pick

With the No. 248 overall pick, the Browns selected BYU tight end Carsen Ryan.

If you’ve watched Andrew Berry operate in the past, you know he usually treats 7th-round picks like expired milk. He almost always tries to package them to move up earlier on Day 3 or to kick them down the road for future draft capital. It is highly likely Berry was actively working the phones trying to flip this pick into the 2027 draft but simply found no takers.

This brings up a fascinating Paul DePodesta analytics angle. Is there a functional difference between a late 7th-rounder and a Priority UDFA?

The Analytics of the 7th Round vs. UDFA

Functionally, a 7th-round pick signs a slotted four-year deal with almost zero guaranteed money. A UDFA, however, signs a three-year contract. Because teams compete for UDFAs, they often hand out more guaranteed base salary to top undrafted players than 7th-round picks get. Furthermore, UDFAs hit Restricted Free Agency (RFA) a year earlier. From an analytics standpoint, if you aren't getting four years of a premium position, you're often better off letting a player fall to UDFA where you can manipulate the salary cap bonuses, rather than wasting a draft pick on a non-guaranteed slot.

As for the player, Carsen Ryan was productive for BYU last season, racking up 45 receptions for 620 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, at 6'3" and 255 pounds, he lacks the prototypical height and length of an in-line NFL tight end. Ryan profiles much better as an H-back—a versatile piece who can move across the formation. The biggest question mark surrounding him will be whether he can develop the blocking leverage required to survive in the trenches at the pro level.

Keeping it in the Family: The Logan Fano Signing

The most fascinating post-draft move was securing Utah defensive end Logan Fano as an Undrafted Free Agent.

Going into the weekend, Fano was widely projected as a middle-to-late round draft pick. So, why the slide? We have to put our speculative hats on for a second. Logan Fano is the older brother of offensive tackle Spencer Fano, whom the Browns selected 9th overall in the first round. It is entirely plausible that once Logan slipped past the fifth round, his agent started quietly telling teams not to draft him, knowing he could sign as a UDFA and play with his brother in Cleveland.

With the signing, the Browns seem to be taking a page out of the Cleveland Cavalier playbook. The Cavs drafted Isaiah Mobley in the second round to help franchise cornerstone Evan Mobley settle into the NBA at a young age. Keeping your top-10 pick happy and comfortable by bringing his brother into the locker room is just smart asset management.  Like Isiah Mobley, Logan Fano has a puncher's chance of sticking around with his brother to become a franchise cornerstone.  Maybe Cleveland will land that punch this time?

Logan Fano's Collegiate Resume (Utah)
• Strengths: Excellent length (6'5", 257 lbs), high-motor, solid run anchor, and great locker room leadership.
• Weaknesses: Two torn ACLs on his medical sheet; lacks elite bend and explosiveness around the edge.
• 2024 Stats (12 games): 35 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF.

Path to the 53-Man Roster	Probability	Justification
Make active roster out of camp	Moderate	Depth on the defensive line is always a priority. If Fano proves his run-stopping ability translates, there is a rotational spot available.
Practice Squad stash	High	His medical history and need to add NFL muscle make him a perfect candidate for a redshirt year on the practice squad.
Cut entirely	Low	Given the front office's investment in his brother, Logan will be given every conceivable opportunity to stick around the building.

As the Browns prepare to eventually bridge into the post-Myles Garrett era down the road, finding rotational defensive ends who can set the edge is vital. Logan Fano isn't going to give you 15 sacks a year, but if he can become a reliable early-down run defender, Cleveland just got a draftable talent for pennies on the dollar—and kept their shiny new top-10 left tackle incredibly happy in the process.