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Cleveland Browns guaranteed a large amount of cash to a rookie they didn’t even draft and that may say what they think about him

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 20, 2025 7:25 PM ET

The Cleveland Browns entered the 2025 NFL Draft with 10 scheduled selections. After making a pair of trades, they ended up using only seven picks.

Interestingly, Cleveland selected two running backs and two quarterbacks, meaning just three picks were used on other positions.

Heading into the draft, safety was considered a potential position of need. While the Browns didn’t select one, they quickly addressed the position afterward by signing a safety as an undrafted free agent — and they made a notable investment in him.

Contract details for all the Browns' undrafted rookies are on Over the Cap, which could be a bit instructive when looking at who gets final roster spots.

Safety Donovan McMillon ($210k), CB Lamareon James ($195k) and EDGE Adin Huntington ($180k) received the most guarantees.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) May 20, 2025

Cleveland guaranteed $210,000 to former Pittsburgh safety Donovan McMillon — a significant amount for an undrafted player, according to Over the Cap. While that number doesn’t make McMillon a lock to make the roster, it shows the Browns are serious about evaluating him, and that they wanted him. McMillon, a 6-foot-1, 197-pound safety, spent two seasons at Pitt after transferring from Florida, where he also played two years.

The Browns moved on from Juan Thornhill earlier this offseason, and backup safety D’Anthony Bell signed elsewhere in free agency. At the time of the draft, Ronnie Hickman was the top safety alongside Grant Delpit. Since then, Cleveland has added veterans Rayshawn Jenkins and Damontae Kazee to the room. Cleveland has often used three safeties heavily with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

General manager Andrew Berry has shown a willingness to keep undrafted players on the roster in the past. McMillon has a legitimate shot to be the next — and as things stand, he’s at worst the No. 5 safety on the depth chart.

McMillon will have a chance to battle for a spot on the team through OTAs and up through training camp this August.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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