Browns part ways with 2023 third-round pick after just one year

There are always a few surprises on the NFL's annual cutdown day when teams must reduce their rosters from 90 players down to 53 and the Browns started things off on Tuesday with a surprise of their own.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the team is releasing defensive tackle Siaki Ika, its third-round pick from just a year ago.

It's a surprising move because it's not often teams move on from Day 2 selections so quickly and general manager Andrew Berry seemed excited for what Ika could bring not too long ago.

"What was impressive about (Ika) was that he was able to do a lot of the things we look for," Berry said . "His motor stood out, his power stood out and we think he can rush the passer."

However, that's far from how things played out for the No. 98 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft as his "motor" and "power" seemed nonexistent at the next level. Ika disappointed as a rookie, registering zero tackles and only one pass defensed in just four games played.

Like many fans, the Browns decided they had seen enough; especially given the depth they already have on their defensive line.

This offseason, Cleveland added Mike Hall Jr. in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft to a group that already has several capable veterans in Dalvin Tomlinson, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst II and Quinton Jefferson.

It may not be the last of Ika quite yet as the Browns could still attempt to re-sign him to their practice squad following cutdown day, but it's likely another team will take a chance on the third-round pick from a year ago given his upside.

The 23-year-old recorded 70 tackles, five sacks and three passes defensed during his collegiate careers at Baylor (2021-2022) and LSU (2019-2020).