Kevin Stefanski, Browns taking chance on former Vikings draft bust

The NFL Draft is a gamble. A player selected can seem to be a can't-miss talent but then struggle to adapt to the professional level. Minnesota Vikings fans know this all too well with some of their favorite franchise's draft picks.

One player who didn't quite pan out for the Vikings is offensive lineman Wyatt Davis. A third-round pick for Minnesota in 2021, Davis saw action in six games on special teams as a rookie before being released before the 2022 season.

Since his release by Minnesota, Davis has played in three games. In 2022, he saw action in one game for three different teams: the Cardinals, Saints, and Giants. However, he will get another opportunity to earn a role this year.

Kevin Stefanski, Browns taking chance on former Vikings draft bust

The Cleveland Browns announced on their official team website that they signed offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and waived defensive tackle Jayden Peevey. Wyatt is heading into his fourth NFL season after missing all of 2023 because of an ankle injury.

The Browns will be the fifth team Davis has signed with. The blocker also spent two stints with the New York Giants where he spent time on the practice squad and injured reserve without seeing action in a regular-season contest.

It appears as though the six-foot-four, 315-pound Ohio State product is healthy and ready for action. He joins former Vikings coach Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland where he will hope to earn a roster spot and compete for playing time.

The grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman Willie Davis, Wyatt joins the team that drafted his grandfather in Round 13 of the 1956 NFL Draft. That alone should help motivate the 25-year-old lineman to push himself to his limit.

It is disappointing when a draft pick doesn't work out for the Minnesota Vikings, but it's tough not to root for some of these young players to succeed even though things didn't work out for them with the purple and gold.

Wyatt Davis has the size and pedigree to be an interesting player to watch for the Cleveland Browns this preseason. In their second preseason game, the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to face off against the Browns. For that game, the purple and gold will travel to Ohio where Davis could play the team that drafted him. It could be fun to see a familiar face on the field for that game.