We’re one week away from the 2024 NFL Draft and every move that teams make between now and then could have major implications for the players they take in the first couple of rounds.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Browns are signing veteran offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to a one-year deal. Ifedi is a versatile lineman who has played extensively at right guard and right tackle during his career.
“Browns signed veteran free-agent OL Germain Ifedi, who has made 59 career starts at right tackle and 24 right guard. Last season, he spent most of the season on the Bills’ active roster but did not appear in a game,” Schefter wrote.
Ifedi was the No. 31 overall pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2016 NFL Draft. He played four seasons in Seattle, starting 60 games, and then spent the entire 2020 season with the Chicago Bears.
In 2021, Ifedi returned to the Bears, but was limited to just nine games due to a season-ending injury.
The following year, Ifedi signed with the Atlanta Falcons and played in all 17 games for them. As Schefter noted, Ifedi did not play in 2023 despite being on the Bills’ roster all season.
It’s unclear what role Ifedi will have in the Browns’ offense or if he’s just going to be an extra training camp body.
But it could mean that the Browns are less likely to go with an offensive lineman in the early rounds of the draft next week. We’ll have to wait and see.