Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton said last month that he plans to change the way the team uses Barkevious Mingo. Part of that change involves Mingo bulking up.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Mingo has already gained 20 pounds this offseason, getting to 260 pounds after playing last season at 240.
The 6-foot-4 Mingo has always been scrawny by NFL linebacker standards, and putting some more meat on his bones may help him take on blockers and play more effectively against the run.
Mingo was the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft and showed some promise as a rookie, recording five sacks. But he had just two sacks in 2014 and none in 2015. Last year Mingo was primarily a special teams player, getting a team-high 368 plays on special teams and only 256 on defense. The Browns have to hope that as Mingo gets bigger, he also makes a bigger contribution to their defense.