With The First Pick
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3 Stefanski linked free agents that could alter Cleveland Browns draft plans

By Randy Gurzi

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 05: Anthony Harris #41 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Rashod Hill #69 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 21: Rashod Hill #69 of the Minnesota Vikings in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

3. Rashod Hill, RT

There might be some hesitation here because this sounds similar to what the Browns did in 2018 with Chris Hubbard. That season, Cleveland signed Hubbard who was the swing tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers under offensive coordinator Todd Haley.

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With Haley running the offense in Cleveland, he wanted one of his guys and the massive contract kept Hubbard there even when Haley was released — after just eight games. Even though that seems to have failed, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kevin Stefanski bring someone in that he knows to build depth on the O-line — such as Rashod Hill.

Hill was an undrafted free agent in 2016 from Southern Miss, originally with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was signed by Minnesota that same season off the practice squad and has spent the past four seasons with Stefanski and the Vikings.

During that span, he played in 43 games and had 16 starts. Hill showed some flashes in that time and was able to play in Week 17 as Minnesota had their spot in the playoffs locked up. While they were using reserves, Hill did face the Chicago Bears starters and held his own according to their head coach, Mike Zimmer.

"“Rashod Hill did a nice job in protection, looked like Aviante Collins did OK and we had Dakota Dozier playing center,” Zimmer said via Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune. “There was a lot of moving parts in there.”"

Hubbard could be gone in 2020 and they might not re-sign Greg Robinson. That means Cleveland most likely needs two tackles but could sign Hill to prevent them from using nothing but rookies as replacements.

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