BEREA, Ohio -- It was hard to miss Taylen Green on the first day of Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp Friday. Standing 6-foot-6 with a live arm and surprising mobility for his frame, the sixth-round pick out of Arkansas made an immediate impression on coaches, teammates, and the handful of media members watching from the sideline.
"We've got a Browns rookie minicamp session, I really don't think there's anybody like me," Green said after practice, referencing his unique skill set. "I have the size, the speed, and I can spin it."
The confidence wasn't unwarranted. During positional drills, Green's arm strength was on full display, delivering deep outs and seam throws with velocity that cut through the April air. But what stood out most was his movement. For a quarterback listed at 230 pounds, Green moved effortlessly in and out of the pocket, showing the ability to extend plays and throw on the move -- traits that general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken value in their offensive system.
Green's arrival adds an intriguing layer to a quarterback room that includes presumed starter Dillon Gabriel, veteran Deshaun Watson, and second-year passer Shedeur Sanders. While Gabriel enters his first season as the clear QB1, the developmental upside Green brings could make him a long-term project worth monitoring.
"He's got tools," one team source said. "You can't teach 6-6 with that arm and that agility. Now it's about learning the offense and refining the mechanics. The raw ability is there."
A Unique Path to Cleveland
The Browns selected Green with the 214th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a move that raised some eyebrows given the team's investment in Gabriel and the presence of Watson and Sanders. But Berry and Monken have consistently emphasized competition and the desire to develop young talent, especially at the most important position on the field.
Green played two seasons at Arkansas after transferring from Boise State, throwing for 3,687 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding 672 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability mirrors some of the traits the coaching staff covets, and his willingness to learn from veterans should serve him well.
"I'm just here to compete," Green said. "Whatever they ask me to do, I'm going to do it to the best of my ability. I want to learn from Dill, from Shedeur, from Deshaun. Those guys have been through it. I'm just trying to soak it all in."
Offensive coordinator Travis Switzer was seen spending extra time with Green during individual drills, walking him through progressions and footwork. The early investment suggests the coaching staff sees real potential worth developing.
Browns Bolster Defensive Interior
In a separate roster move on Friday, the Browns claimed defensive tackle Elijah Chatman off waivers from the New York Giants. The transaction reinforces Cleveland's commitment to building depth along the defensive line -- a unit that projects as a strength in 2026.
Chatman, an undrafted free agent out of SMU in 2024, appeared in 12 games for the Giants last season, recording 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a half-sack. At 6-foot-2 and 295 pounds, he offers a compact, explosive frame that fits well in defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg's scheme, which emphasizes gap integrity and interior push.
The Browns' defensive tackle room already features Maliek Collins, Mason Graham, Mike Hall Jr., and Kalia Davis, among others. Adding Chatman provides additional rotational depth and competition heading into training camp. Special teams coordinator Byron Storer will also evaluate Chatman's potential as a contributor on kickoff and punt coverage units.
"We liked what we saw from Chatman on tape," a team source said. "He's got good get-off and plays with a high motor. He'll get a chance to compete for a roster spot."
The move also signals that the Browns are actively looking to shore up their defensive front, even after investing premium draft capital in Graham and Hall in recent years. The philosophy is clear: you can never have too many quality defensive linemen in a league built on trench warfare.
What It All Means
Friday's minicamp session and the Chatman claim represent two sides of the same coin for the Browns in early May. On one hand, the team is laying the foundation for a competitive quarterback competition that extends beyond the starter. On the other, they're continuing to fortify a defense that ranked near the top of the NFL in several key categories last season.
For Green, the road to a roster spot is steep. Gabriel is entrenched as the starter, Sanders offers intriguing developmental upside, and Watson -- while no longer the franchise centerpiece -- provides veteran stability. But Green's unique physical traits, combined with a coaching staff that values creative quarterback play, could carve out a niche for him as a practice squad candidate with long-term potential.
Chatman's path is more straightforward. He'll enter training camp competing for one of the final defensive tackle spots, likely battling players like Sam Kamara and Bernard Gooden for a roster slot. His experience with the Giants and familiarity with NFL schemes should give him an edge, but nothing is guaranteed.
Both moves reflect a broader organizational philosophy under Berry and Monken: maximize competition at every position, develop young talent, and never stop improving the roster. It's a formula that has worked well in Cleveland, and Friday's developments suggest the trend will continue into the summer.
Looking Ahead
The Browns will wrap up rookie minicamp on Saturday before transitioning into organized team activities (OTAs) next week. For Green, Chatman, and every other new addition, the real evaluation begins now.
But on Day 1, the early returns are promising. Taylen Green looked like a quarterback worth developing, and Elijah Chatman represents another low-risk, high-upside addition to a defensive line that could be the backbone of the team.
As Green put it: "I'm just gonna keep working. The rest will take care of itself."
For Browns fans, that's exactly the kind of attitude they want to hear from their newest players.