Easton Mascarenas-Arnold takes undrafted path to Browns defense

F1 São Paulo GP 2026 – Practice 2

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Easton Mascarenas-Arnold takes undrafted path to Browns defense

Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Wed, Aug 12, 2026 ·

4 min read

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BEREA ― Easton Mascarenas-Arnold spent most of his rookie season with the Browns in relative anonymity.

The linebacker from USC was signed as an undrafted free agent by the team shortly after the 2025 draft. Although he managed to earn a spot on the 53-man roster out of training camp, he spent the bulk of the season toiling in the thankless world of special teams.

"I think it was just a lot of trust in other people," Mascarenas-Arnold said Aug. 10. "I talked to my family, my agent, and it just seemed like Cleveland was the best option at the time. And rightfully so, I think it was truly a blessing to come here. At that time I was clueless. I didn't really know a lot about the NFL and the process and all that. And I really just trusted those that were in my corner. And, shoot, when the opportunity arose, I just took advantage of it."

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Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Spencer Fano (55) answers questions from reporters during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) answers questions from reporters during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (21) answers questions from reporters during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken answers questions from reporters during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns defensive end Benton Whitley (61) stretches during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) steps out to the field area during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) warms up during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns tackle Dawand Jones (79) looks to sidelines during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns guard Zion Johnson (77) stretches during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken looks over warmups during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman (33) stretches during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) returns from a drill during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) warms up during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion (1) during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns WR Malachi Corley (83) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Taylen Green (15) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns tight end Jack Stoll (89) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns RB Dylan Sampson (22) gets water during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) chats with Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) run though drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns FB Michael Burton (34) runs through drills, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns WR KC Concepcion (1) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Tylan Wallace (16) and Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (22) run through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns left back Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (42) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns safety Daniel Thomas (24) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (4) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (6) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns CB Michael Coats Jr. (39) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44), right, runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) takes a knee after he runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders (2) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders (35) runs through drills during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion (1) during the first day of training camp, July 29, 2026, at the Cross Country Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio.
(Andrew Dolph, Akron Beacon Journal)

The way Mascarenas-Arnold performed as an undrafted rookie got his foot in the door. The way he's continued to perform in the offseason and over the first 12 days of training camp has allowed him to kick the door wide open to an opportunity for increased responsibility.

The 5-foot-11, 227-pound California native has earned a spot running with the first-team defense as one of the three linebackers. As a rookie, Mascarenas-Arnold only played 12 defensive snaps, compared to 262 on special teams.

That's a significant increase in trust for a player who may have been, at least outside of the building, one of the more anonymous players on the 2025 roster. Now, there's a strong chance he'll be starting alongside returning Defensive Rookie of the Year Carson Schwesinger and former All-Pro Quincy Williams when the regular season comes around in September.

"The biggest change is just the responsibility, I think," Mascarenas-Arnold said. "Like you said, getting a lot more reps this year, which I'm overly thankful for. … But just making the most out of my opportunities and making sure that when they do call my name, that I go in there and I perform like they expect of me and as I expect of myself.

"So I think that's the biggest change in terms of just how everything's going. But my process is staying the same, preparing as hard as I possibly can for the sake of my team and for the sake of my coaches."

The whims of football can alter one's path in an instance, though. That's what has happened for Mascarenas-Arnold over the first two weeks of training camp.

Schwesinger has been sidelined since Aug. 1 while he's dealing with what the Browns are terming a "minor injury." He's still standing near the defensive group throughout practice and acting like another assistant coach in the moment.

However, while Schwesinger's on the sideline, he can't be on the field. That's where Mascarenas-Arnold has stepped into the void, filling the spot while his teammate recovers.

"I think that speaks a lot to the production and the type of people we got in that room," Mascarenas-Arnold said. "And, I mean, shoot, I think when somebody goes down as valuable as Carson, I think it's important that we understand that we got to take the reins while he's gone. And, shoot, until he comes back, we got to step up in that role."

Mascarenas-Arnold takes no joy in Schwesinger's absence, even with the opportunity it's presented for him. The two were part of the same rookie class, although Schwesinger's path as a second-round pick who became Defensive Rookie of the Year was quite different than Mascarenas-Arnold's path as a UDFA turned special teamer.

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The two played against each other in college as Los Angeles rivals, Mascarenas-Arnold at USC and Schwesinger at UCLA. However, they've also grown close since coming across the country to Cleveland.

"Man, our relationship started last year," Mascarenas-Arnold said. "I can't lie because we came in together and we actually didn't know — we knew of each other, but we didn't know each other. We had just played each other in college. And I would say it took about a week, week and a half. It's hard not to be friends with the guy you're in the same room with, but after about a week and a half, we became damn near brothers at this point.

"And having somebody like Carson who's so cerebral and studies the ins and outs of the game, especially with being a rookie, his preparation is not anything like a rookie or anything like I've seen."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ. Sign up for Browns Insider newsletter at https://profile.beaconjournal.com/newsletters/browns-insider/

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Easton Mascarenas-Arnold takes undrafted path to Browns defense

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F1 São Paulo GP 2026 – Practice 2

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action

Browns training camp begins. See Shedeur Sanders and company in action