CLEVELAND — First-round draft pick Barkevious Mingo remains the only unsigned Browns rookie after the club finalized four-year contracts with two others Friday.
On the day rookies reported for training camp, the Browns reached deals with cornerback Leon McFadden and troubled defensive lineman Armonty Bryant.
McFadden, a third-round pick from San Diego State, is expected to compete for the starting job opposite mainstay Joe Haden. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound McFadden was selected 68th overall by the Browns, who need a starter after they decided not to re-sign veteran Sheldon Brown after last season. McFadden spent spring practices with the second-team defence as Buster Skrine and Chris Owens split time with the starters.
Bryant was arrested on drunken-driving charges shortly after he was drafted by Cleveland in April out of East Central (Okla.) University. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Bryant also was arrested on a felony drug charge while in school.
Bryant vowed at last month’s NFL rookie symposium to reward the team for its faith in him.
Mingo, the No. 6 overall selection in April, is the lone member of Cleveland’s 2013 rookie class not under contract. The former LSU star is set to receive a deal worth slightly more than the four-year, $16.26 million contract Dallas cornerback Morris Claiborne, the sixth pick in 2012 — and Mingo’s former college teammate — signed last year. But the Browns and Mingo’s agent are at odds over "offset" language in the pact, protection in case he is released before his contract expires.
The Browns are hopeful they can have Mingo signed in time for new coach Rob Chudzinski’s first training camp practice on July 25.
Cleveland previously signed its two other draft picks, Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter and Chadron State guard Garrett Gilkey.
