Miami offensive lineman Javion Cohen signs with Cleveland Browns as undrafted free agent

Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Javion Cohen has signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported. Cohen previously played for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Cohen spent the 2023 season with Miami, transferring into the program for his final college season and a key piece of a rebuilt offensive line for the Hurricanes that helped the team win seven games and go to a bowl. He was with Alabama from 2020 through the 2022 season. During that time, he won a national championship.

In 2020, he was selected to the All-SEC Freshman Team. Later, he was given a 2022 second team All-SEC honoree by the SEC’s coaches. He followed that up in 2023 with another excellent performance, earning a 2023 All-ACC honorable mention.

Javion Cohen is a native of Phenix City, Alabama, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 291 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Bringing in Javion Cohen was a big deal for Miami in 2023, coming off a season where the Hurricanes had a losing record and particularly struggled on the offensive line. He helped to secure that unit up front and improve as a team.

That much improved offensive line ended the season tied for 17th in the country in sacks allowed, giving up just 1.23 sacks per game. Miami also had a strong running game that the offensive line helped to power, which finished the season 45th in rushing offense with 173.15 yards per game.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Javion Cohen

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein provided a breakdown of Javion Cohen ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“Cohen played heavier in 2023, adding a little more strength while sacrificing a little too much athleticism. He’s a big man with long arms but might need to drop down in weight, as he played with much better body control and range in 2022 with Alabama,” Zierlein wrote.

“He’s more contact absorber than driving run blocker, and one wonders if he will struggle to break his waist-bending habit. Cohen makes effective use of his length in pass protection and has the processing quickness to see problems brewing but will need more nimble feet to do something about it. Cohen’s limitations cap his upside, but he has a chance to become a good backup or eventual starter if he can recapture better athleticism.”