The NFL Draft is the marquee event for teams building for the future, but for NFL front offices, the work goes far beyond the weekend of selections. As the Cleveland Browns, led by General Manager Andrew Berry, prepare to make their picks later this week, the personnel department is actively evaluating available veteran players to bolster depth and competition. According to a report from Dawgs By Nature, the Browns have brought in two offensive players for workouts during draft week: running back Sincere McCormick and offensive lineman Joe Michalski.
These under-the-radar workouts exemplify the relentless nature of roster building throughout the year. The draft focuses on securing foundational talent and potential starters, while workouts like these target immediate, cost-effective veterans who can compete for the 90-man roster, serve as insurance, or fill depth roles as the post-draft landscape evolves.
Let's examine these two players and the potential fit they might offer the Browns.
Sincere McCormick: A Running Back Seeking Opportunity
The Browns' running back room features interesting depth and significant questions. Nick Chubb's remarkable recovery from a serious knee injury remains the offseason storyline, with his availability and form expected to heavily influence the 2026 offense. Behind Chubb, Jerome Ford has demonstrated versatility and reliability, while Pierre Strong Jr. and John Kelly Jr. contribute on special teams and add further depth.
Sincere McCormick, 24, is a young running back pursuing a fresh start. Undrafted out of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in 2022, he initially signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. His college career was impressive, rushing for over 1,400 yards in consecutive seasons, showcasing vision, patience, and a compact, powerful running style. However, his NFL tenure has largely been limited to practice squad roles and brief roster elevations with the Raiders and Indianapolis Colts. To date, he has logged only five regular-season carries.
For Cleveland, working McCormick out is a low-risk move to explore a young player with notable college production who has yet to establish himself in the NFL. He represents a potential late bloomer or special teams contributor with upside. In the current Browns running back hierarchy, McCormick would primarily compete for a practice squad spot, but NFL depth charts are fluid in the face of injuries. Having recent evaluations on file prepares the Browns for swift roster moves if needed.
Joe Michalski: Adding Depth to the Offensive Line
If the running back group carries questions, the interior offensive line has more turbulence following the departure of guard Wyatt Teller in free agency to the New York Jets. The Browns acted promptly to address this by signing veteran Jack Conklin and re-signing versatile lineman Drew Forbes. Conklin is anticipated to start at right guard, joining Joel Bitonio on the left side and Ethan Pocic at center.
The workout for Joe Michalski signals that Cleveland is continuing to search for depth and competition along the offensive front. Michalski, 26, plays center and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He spent his rookie year on the Jaguars' practice squad and joined the New York Giants offseason roster last year before being released during final roster cuts.
Michalski presents as a developmental camp body with size and intelligence for the center position--standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 300 pounds. For the Browns, he offers the possibility of a backup center behind Pocic. The importance of a competent backup center cannot be overstated; this player manages line calls and the flow of the offense. Without a dedicated backup center, teams often resort to shifting a guard out of position, creating a domino effect of issues. Adding Michalski on a veteran minimum deal would enhance depth, increase competition, and afford coaching staff more options during training camp.
Draft Week Roster Building: The Process Beyond the Headlines
These workouts are unlikely to make headlines on their own and might not lead to immediate signings. Instead, they demonstrate disciplined organizational process.
For Andrew Berry and his personnel team, draft week is a whirlwind. They finalize their draft board, handle trade inquiries, and anticipate moves made by other teams. Within that flurry, setting aside time to privately evaluate these two veterans reflects thoroughness and strategic foresight. The Browns' scouts and coaches will have firsthand medical and athletic assessments on McCormick and Michalski, allowing them to better understand where these players stand in their development.
This intelligence is critical. Should injuries hit the running back corps or offensive line in the months ahead, the Browns won't be starting from scratch in identifying replacements--they'll have fresh evaluation footage and notes. If the team opts against drafting a center or running back, these workouts mean names are already in the system and can be revisited quickly for roster consideration.
The approach also sends a clear message to the current roster: competition never ends. Even as all eyes focus on incoming rookies, the front office continuously vets all viable avenues to upgrade and deepen the squad. Nobody's job is guaranteed; earning a roster spot is an ongoing battle.
What Lies Ahead for the Browns?
The Browns' primary focus remains the 2026 NFL Draft, where they possess multiple selections to address needs at wide receiver, defensive line, and potentially linebacker. The workouts for McCormick and Michalski are a complementary thread in a broader roster-building fabric.
Neither player may be signed immediately; these workouts could be informational for future decisions. However, it is equally possible that one or both receive contracts after the draft as the Browns finalize their 90-man roster with undrafted free agents and veteran additions.
For Browns fans, these reports underscore that building a contender extends beyond high-profile draft picks or marquee free agents. It involves an ongoing search for value, constant talent evaluation, and assembling a deep, competitive roster at every position. The workouts in Berea this draft week exemplify the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep the Browns prepared for the long NFL grind. The draft will deliver future stars, but this kind of meticulous work often yields the depth that sustains a team through the season.