Former Florida defensive lineman will prove to be a steal for the Cleveland Browns

There's no good way to paint Tyreak Sapp's slide from a potential high draft pick to being completely shut out of the NFL's offseason showcase. It was disappointing. However, all is not lost and Sapp will head to Ohio next week for the Cleveland Browns rookie minicam after signing an undrafted free agent contract with the team Sunday.

Sapp came into the 2025 season as one of the leaders on the Florida Gators defense. Many preseason NFL Mock Drafts had Sapp projected to go in the top 50 picks and some had him as a first rounder. Even in the final days before last week's draft, Sapp was thought to be a solid day 3 pick, but it didn't happen.

Tyreak Sapp signs UDFA contract with Cleveland Browns

Sapp was GREAT in 2024. He had seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss. He was a wrecking machine along the defensive line and proved to be increasingly difficult to block. Had Sapp decided to leave after the 2024 season, he was probably going to be selected within the first 75 picks. Sapp decided to return probably because he thought, as did most of us, that the Gators were at least a good sleeper pick for making the playoffs. 

Instead of making a push for the CFP 12-team bracket, Florida never got out the gate and fired Billy Napier before the season ended. Sapp's numbers took a huge dive as well. After a breakout junior campaign, Sapp had just one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss. The ability to create negative plays just wasn't there and opposing teams made stopping him the focus of their game plan.

Sapp, however, still had a lot of value as a good defensive lineman who was honest against the run and had the ability to rush the passer. So what happened? I think teams were a little underwhelmed by Sapp's physical stature. He measured out at a little over 6-foot-2 and his arm length (32 inches) wasn't anything to write home about. Was he a good college football player? Absolutely, but Sapp lacked those elite traits that teams are often looking for at the back end of the draft. 

Cleveland might be the best-case scenario for Sapp. He has a lot of experience. He's durable and he's a hard worker. Sapp was a great student-athlete for the Gators and is highly-regarded as a teammate. There's no question he'll arrive at the Browns mini camp on May 8 and make the coaches take notice of what he has to offer. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow