Speed, Sacrifice, and Strategy: Cleveland Browns Shake Up 53-Man Roster with Bold Waiver Claim and Tactical Cuts

Waiver claim day in the National Football League is an intense, high-stakes period where general managers across the country scour the wire, searching for hidden talent capable of elevating their 53-man rosters. In Cleveland, the front office was far from idle as cutdown week drew to a close. Browns host Joey O’Donnell broke down the flurry of official roster transactions coming out of Berea on the Browns Report by Chat Sports, highlighting a fascinating mix of secondary reinforcements, practice squad upside, difficult positional sacrifices, and high-level quarterback debates.

As the Dawg Pound prepares for the regular season kick-off, Cleveland made a series of calculated decisions that reveal how the coaching staff intends to construct its depth chart for 2026 and beyond. From claiming a blistering cornerback off waivers to making a tough release on the defensive line, every move reflects a clear underlying philosophy: prioritize raw athletic traits and positional flexibility while resisting quick-fix temptations.

The Need for Speed: Toriano Pride Jr. Joins the Secondary

The headlining transaction for Cleveland on waiver claim day was the acquisition of defensive back Toriano Pride Jr., who was officially claimed off waivers after being released by the Buffalo Bills. Because waiver claims automatically join the active 53-man roster, adding Pride required an immediate roster spot, demonstrating the front office’s genuine belief in his upside.

Pride, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back, brings an impressive collegiate pedigree to Northern Ohio. After spending his 2022 and 2023 campaigns playing at Clemson University, Pride transferred to the University of Missouri for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, where he established himself as a dynamic, ball-hawking perimeter defender, recording two interceptions last year. Drafted in the seventh round of this year’s NFL Draft by Buffalo, Pride’s standout trait during the draft process was undeniable speed. Running a mind-boggling 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, he registered one of the fastest times among all cornerback prospects in the entire class.

Why would Buffalo let a young cornerback with elite track speed hit the waiver wire so quickly? During the preseason, Pride experienced noticeable operational lapses, getting beaten downfield on several coverage assignments. Those technical hiccups ultimately prompted the Bills to part ways with their seventh-round selection.

However, Cleveland had a unique front-row seat to Pride’s development. During joint training camp practices and preseason competition against the Buffalo Bills, the Browns coaching staff saw his explosive athleticism firsthand. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken specifically highlighted Pride’s twitchy recovery speed and natural instincts in coverage.

For Cleveland, fixing the lower end of the cornerback depth chart has been an ongoing challenge. Behind star starters Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell, the team has sought reliable depth at CB3, CB4, and CB5. While fan optimism remains high for players like Mai Blackman and undrafted free agent Michael Coates Jr. out of West Virginia—who earned his spot on the active roster through exceptional preseason play—the addition of Pride introduces fierce competition. Furthermore, history shows that waiver claims can turn into long-term staples in Cleveland; running back Raheem Sanders was claimed off waivers last year and successfully secured a spot on the 53-man roster once again this season. While Pride may not step directly into a starting role on week one, his raw 4.32 speed provides the secondary with a high-upside developmental project.

The Cost of Addition: Releasing Edge Rusher Julian Okwara

In the NFL, roster management is a zero-sum game. To create space for Toriano Pride Jr. on the active 53-man roster, the Browns had to release veteran edge defender Julian Okwara. Reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the move leaves Cleveland surprisingly thin along the defensive perimeter.

Okwara’s departure creates a strategic dilemma for the defensive line room. With Okwara gone, Cleveland carries only three traditional defensive ends on its active roster. This thin rotation could force defensive coordinators to get creative with positional versatility. Rookie or second-year interior defenders, such as Mike Hall Jr., may be asked to flex outward to take snaps at defensive end in early-down or heavy-package situations.

While Okwara’s preseason performance did not guarantee him a long-term role in Cleveland, cutting a proven pass rusher highlights the front office’s preference for secondary coverage speed over depth along the edge. Defensive front rotations will remain a crucial storyline to monitor as injuries and fatigue take their toll over a long 17-game regular season schedule.

Injecting Physicality: Wide Receiver Bub Means Joins the Practice Squad

While the active roster experienced turn-over, the Browns also bolstered their practice squad by signing wide receiver Bub Means, as reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Means, a towering 6-foot-2.5 receiver, spent his first two NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, recording nine receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown.

Despite being hampered by nagging injuries early in his career, Means possesses physical traits that make him a fascinating practice squad addition. Scouting reports from his college days drew stylistic comparisons to former star receiver Michael Thomas—not in terms of career production, but in his physical catch radius, toughness through contact, and boundary presence.

If Means can stay healthy, his addition gives the Browns practice squad a legitimate threat who could earn standard elevated call-ups on game days. Fans and analysts alike view this signing as a low-risk, high-reward move, even as the Dawg Pound holds out hope that popular preseason wideout Luke Floriea might also find his way back to the practice squad roster.

Resisting the Quarterback Carousel: The Will Levis Situation

No NFL roster conversation is complete without addressing the quarterback position. Following the Tennessee Titans’ decision to waive former second-round pick Will Levis, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Levis passed through the entire league unclaimed on waivers.

Predictably, Levis’ availability sparked immediate debates among analysts and fans. Armed with a 6-foot-4, 229-pound frame and a absolute rocket for an arm, Levis embodies every physical trait teams covet in a developmental passer. However, persistent accuracy issues and slow decision-making ultimately led to his release from Tennessee.

With Cleveland rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel currently placed on injured reserve due to a back injury suffered during the preseason matchup against the New England Patriots—sidelining him for at least four weeks—some suggested Cleveland should take a flyer on Levis.

However, insider consensus and host Joey O’Donnell strongly urge the Browns to stay far away from another quarterback reclamation project. Historically, Cleveland has struggled to serve as a career revival destination for struggling young quarterbacks. Attempting to fix a project like Levis would consume valuable practice reps and distract from developing in-house talent.

Instead, Cleveland possesses a superior physical developmental project already on its active 53-man roster: Taylen Green. Green is taller, faster, and significantly more athletic than Levis, boasting rare raw tools that the coaching staff prefers to groom internally. Rather than carrying four or five quarterbacks or cycling through waiver claims, Cleveland’s long-term plan appears clear: evaluate current roster assets, support young talent like Shedeur Sanders, and maintain flexibility for future draft cycles in 2027.

Looking Ahead: Strategic Clarity for Cleveland

As the roster settles, the Cleveland Browns have demonstrated clear strategic intent. Front office executives are willing to take calculated gambles on dynamic, high-speed secondary players like Toriano Pride Jr. and physical wideouts like Bub Means, while maintaining discipline by declining extra quarterback experiments.

With week one fast approaching, the coaching staff’s focus shifts from roster math to on-field execution. As the team fine-tunes its lineup, the Dawg Pound will eagerly watch to see how these newly acquired pieces contribute to Cleveland’s pursuit of a postseason run.