Browns hosting recently released DT Mike Daniels

Just because Browns training camp gets underway tomorrow out in Berea, doesn’t mean the Browns aren’t looking tweak the roster.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Mike Daniels is in Cleveland, Thursday visiting with the Browns.

Mike Daniels is visiting with the Browns in Cleveland today. https://t.co/xb9MvNhUyR

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2019

The former Pro Bowl defensive tackle was waived by the Packers on Wednesday morning. His release on the eve of Packers Training Camp opening came as a shock across the league. Browns general manager John Dorsey was asked about Daniels on Wednesday but couldn’t offer much comment because the 30-year-old hadn’t cleared waivers. For what it’s worth though, Dorsey was Green Bay’s college scouting director when the team drafted Daniels in 2012.

Almost immediately after Daniels was released the Browns were reported as a favorite to land the seven-year vet. It’s not surprising that the Browns are interest in Daniels after failing to land All-Pro DT Gerald McCoy earlier this offseason. McCoy visited with the Browns and their division rival Baltimore but ultimately decided to stay in the NFC South and sign with Carolina.

The Browns interest in bolstering their defensive line depth certainly didn’t just go away after missing out on McCoy, so for Cleveland to be considered a potential landing spot for Daniels makes a ton of sense.

Daniels has been a Packer for his entire seven-year career after being drafted as a fourth-round pick by Green Bay in 2012. Up until this past season, Daniels had never missed more than two games in a season and during a three year stretch from 2014-2016 he started in every single game the Packers played. In 2017 he missed two games for the first time since his rookie season but was named a Pro Bowler for the first time in his career, posting 49 combined tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss, 14 QB hits and five sacks. His career high of six and a half sacks came in his second season in the league (2012).

This past season though, a foot injury hindered the Daniels immensely as he played in a career worst 10 games, starting nine of them and recording just two sacks and one tackle for a loss. Daniels was set to make over $10 million with the Packers this upcoming season but remains on the team’s books at just $2.4 million after being cut.

While his durability certainly isn’t what it used to be, Daniels could be a solid fit in Cleveland rotating in along the defensive line; a practice that is more common in today’s NFL than ever.