Cleveland Browns sign young DE prospect

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 08: Benton Whitley #48 of the New York Giants looks on during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on August 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns created a roster hole at defensive end on Monday when they traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams.

While the Browns did receive defensive end/linebacker Jared Verse back from the Rams as part of the deal, general manager Andrew Berry apparently wants to give defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg more options to choose from, so on Thursday, the team signed defensive end Benton Whitley.

The 6-foot-4 and 255-pound Whitely originally signed with the Rams in 2022 as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross. He did not stick with the Rams that season, but did split time in 2023 between the Minnesota Vikings (one game) and the New York Giants (three games).

Whitley played three more games with the Giants in 2024 before spending part of the 2025 season on the practice squad of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During his college days, Whitley was a First Team All-Patriot Conference selection for three years. In his final season with the Crusaders in 2021, he had 49 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. He played 42 total games at Holy Cross, finishing with 111 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 15.5 sacks.

Benton Whitley (@Bxnwhitley) with the ghost rush sack. Flashes the inside hand, reduces his hitting surface & gets to the QB! #PassRush#NYGiants#Giants100pic.twitter.com/34OW1qJE5r

- DLineVids (@dlinevids1) August 9, 2024

In the NFL, Whitley has played in six games, primarily on special teams, and has recorded a pass defensed, and recovered a fumble.

All kidding aside, the Browns are likely set at defensive end as, in addition to Verse, they have incumbents Isaiah McGuire, Julian Okwara, and Alex Wright, along with undrafted free agent Logan Fano, who appears to have a chance to make the roster after receiving $310,000 in guaranteed money on his rookie contract.

The Browns will be in action next week at mandatory minicamp, which will provide more clarity about the position group in the final tune-up before training camp begins in late July.