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Browns bring back former third round pick, practice squad player
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- Browns bring back former third round pick, practice squad player
Browns bring back former third round pick, practice squad player
The Cleveland Browns have brought back a player who spent most of the 2025 season on the practice squad to compete for a spot in training camp. Defensive end Julian Okwara was re-signed by the Browns in NFL free agency, and ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi was the first to spot the move on the NFL's daily transaction wire.
Originally a third round pick of the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, Okwara started just four games in four years there. He tallied a total of seven career sacks on his rookie contract in the Motor City before signing with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024. Starting just one game for the Cardinals that season, Okwara racked up just one sack before he landed on the Browns' practice squad this past season.
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In a deep defensive end room, Okwara faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but could always land back on the reserve unit in Cleveland again this season. With Cameron Thomas departing for the Atlanta Falcons , that fourth defensive end slot has opened up.
What the Browns defensive end room looks like now
The Browns' defensive end room is obviously headlined by the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year , Myles Garrett . Alex Wright , fresh off a contract extension, is slated to start opposite Garrett again in 2026, just as he did the majority of last year. Isaiah McGuire is one of the rotational players who will see the field frequently as well.
This is where Okwara has a chance to fit in.
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Currently, Okwara is the fourth and only defensive end on the roster. Expect the Browns to address the position further in either free agency or they could even land a talent earlier in the 2026 NFL Draft than anticipated. For now, however, Okwara is slated to get rotational snaps.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns bring back former third round pick Julian Okwara on new deal
