The Cleveland Browns have added a number of intriguing undrafted free agents and J.T. Hassell maybe the most interesting addition of all. Hassell was one of the prospects that earned a pre-draft visit with Cleveland and a large part of this was due to his fantastic pro day, where he ran the forty in a blazing 4.38 seconds. He played linebacker at D-II Florida Tech but could be utilized as a linebacker/safety hybrid.
J.T. Hassell, OLB
Height: 5-11
Weight: 200 pounds
It was obvious the Browns were going to give Hassell a shot considering he was granted a pre-draft visit to Cleveland in April and they are clearly interested in adding more versatile athletes to the defensive side of the ball. Hassell could be a satisfactory chess piece as he has proven to be able to play either linebacker or safety. His electrifying pro day is evidence he has the athleticism to hang in the NFL. Not only did he run a 4.38 forty, but also earned a 42-inch vertical, 10-1 broad jump and a 4.26 short shuttle.
It is not surprising that Hassell went undrafted as he comes from a small D-II school in Florida Tech. The jump in level of competition is going to be huge. Another issue to consider is that the glass half full is Hassell is versatile, but the glass half empty is he is a tweener with a majority of his experience at linebacker and a lack of ideal size at that position.
It will be an uphill battle for Hassell to make the final roster, but he does fit the role that Derrick Kindred left behind, but he is a much better athlete than Kindred and it shows when watching his film. He has proven that having just two fingers on his left hand is not an issue. If Hassell does manage to make the roster, he owns the potential to develop into a solid depth option.
