Test Gallery Page

When the Seahawks selected Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell with the 35th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, it looked like they were getting a steal.

He never played a down in the NFL, getting released by Seattle in March 2019 after a string of legal troubles. Now, for the first time since his release from the Seahawks, he will be a part of an NFL team.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Browns have decided to take a chance on McDowell, signing him to their 90-man roster.

MORE: Browns draft picks 2021: Who did Cleveland take?

The Browns lost defensive linemen Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi during the offseason, so they do have some rotation spots up for grabs, though they added veterans Malik Jackson and Sheldon Day along with rookie fourth-round pick Tommy Togiai to their roster. McDowell, 24, can battle with them for roster spots behind Andrew Billings and 2020 third-round pick Jordan Elliott.

The 6-6, 300-pound McDowell was once viewed as a potential first-round prospect who had averaged 10 tackles for a loss and three sacks in his final two seasons with the Spartans. He looked as if he was going to help reinvigorate a strong Seahawks defensive line when they drafted him in 2017.