Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken before the game between the Browns and the Buffalo Bills at Huntington Bank Field.
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
For most players in the NFL, a joint practice is just an annual routine in training camp. But for some players, it could be a make-or-break situation. Just ask Cleveland Browns cornerback Toriano Pride Jr.
Pride was cut from the 53-man roster of the Buffalo Bills. But it did not take long for him to find a new team, as the Cleveland Browns swiftly picked him up from the waiver wire.
The Browns and the Bills had a joint practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in Berea, Ohio in August. After their acquisition of the Pride, Cleveland coach Todd Monken revealed that he kept an eye on the 22-year-old rookie.
“We practiced against them. I really like the way he played, covered, and competed, and we're always trying to upgrade the roster,” said Monken in the video posted by ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi.
“After we got done practicing with them, his name came up. Should he be a 53 casualty, would we have interest in him? The answer was yes.”
Browns coach Todd Monken on new CB Toriano Pride and how his name popped up after joint practice with the Bills https://t.co/UyEnYPyYkg pic.twitter.com/BPkV7kXnnF
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 31, 2026
The Bills drafted Pride in the seventh round in April. He played two years each at Clemson and Missouri.
In 52 games in college, he logged 82 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, five interceptions, and 16 passes defended.
While he is undersized for a cornerback at 5-foot-10, he has elite speed, recording a 4.32-second 40-yard dash in the NFL Draft Combine. He is a reliable tackler and has an all-out mentality.
It is unclear how Monken will utilize Pride. But for now, he was given a second shot. Good thing he has always taken everything seriously—even a joint practice.