The Cleveland Browns are putting in the work to mold quarterback Taylen Green into a polished NFL passer, and it all starts with the basics. A year after selecting Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round, the Browns took a sixth-round flier on Green—a high-upside talent whose raw physical gifts are impossible to ignore.

For Green, the journey to NFL readiness begins with the little things that make a big difference under center. "First thing was footwork," head coach Todd Monken told reporters, highlighting the foundational focus. "Cadence—getting used to our cadence early on. He was better today, but Saturday morning and Friday, it was choppy. Getting our guys into a rhythm at the line of scrimmage was the second thing he needed to work on."

Monken did find reason for optimism, noting Green's progress through progressions: "He did a nice job today of working through his progressions. I liked that part of it." But the coaching staff knows the biggest hurdle is Green's lengthy throwing motion. "We're going to have to be really diligent in tightening down his release," Monken explained. "On check downs, that long release means he needs to dart it out quickly to running backs or tight ends. But I've been super impressed with his ability to learn, process, and take it to the field. Getting through his progressions—really impressive."

That long release isn't just a minor quirk—it's a potential liability at the NFL level. Years of muscle memory are tough to rewrite, and a slow delivery can tip off defensive backs, giving them a split-second edge to break on the ball. It also invites pass rushers to disrupt the throw before it leaves his hand. For a player with Green's arm talent, tightening that motion is the difference between being a project and a playmaker.

Still, the upside is undeniable. With Monken's proven track record of developing quarterbacks, Green has the raw tools to become a dangerous weapon for Cleveland. If the Browns can refine those fundamentals—footwork, cadence, and release—they may have unearthed a gem in the sixth round.