Browns claim five players off waivers, release Nacua and Holmes

The Cleveland Browns continued their busy weekend with some more moves on Sunday. Since they had the worst record in the league last season, the Browns were given first dibs to claim whoever they wanted off the waiver wire after teams were forced to trim their roster to 53 on Saturday.

On Sunday afternoon, the Browns announced that they picked up five players off the waiver wire: wide receiver Kasen Williams (Seahawks), wide receiver Reggie Davis (Falcons), cornerback Michael Jordan (Rams), defensive tackle T.Y. McGill (Colts) and quarterback Josh Woodrum (Ravens). To fit these five new players on the 53-man roster, the Browns waived wide receiver Rashard Higgins, cornerback Darius Hillary, defensive end Tyrone Holmes and safety Kai Nacua, while also terminating the contract of cornerback Marcus Burley. The team also announced that they signed tight end J.P. Holtz, linebacker Deon King, running back Terrence Magee and cornerback Najee Murray to their practice squad.

Wide receiver Kasen Williams is the big name of the group after putting together an impressive preseason with Seattle, including quite a few highlight-reel catches. The former undrafted free agent from Washington has been with Seattle for his first two seasons in the league, playing in three games over those two seasons.

Welcome to Cleveland, Kasen Williams! pic.twitter.com/VJNF2DedQ5

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 3, 2017

Wide receiver Reggie Davis is a 2017 undrafted free agent from Georgia. Cornerback Michael Jordan (No, not that Michael Jordan) is a former undrafted free agent from Missouri Western State. He is entering his second season in the NFL, after playing with the Los Angeles Rams last season. Jordan played in five games, starting in two of them, notching 20 tackles, two passes defended and a fumble recovery. His familiarity in Greg Williams’ defense was most likely a huge reason the Browns picked him up.

Defensive tackle T.Y. McGill is a former undrafted free agent from North Carolina State. Entering his third season in the NFL, McGill has played the past two seasons with Indianapolis. He has played in 25 games, posting 17 tackles, five sacks, 15 quarterback pressures and one forced fumble. Quarterback Josh Woodrum is entering his second season in the NFL after going undrafted out of Liberty in the 2016 NFL Draft. He moved around to multiple teams last season, but did not receive any playing time during his rookie season.

The Browns moves on Sunday were very interesting. With the pickup of Woodrum, Cleveland now has four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. A move has to be coming down the line because I have a hard time believing the team will carry four quarterbacks into the regular season. Also, the release of safety Kai Nacua and defensive end Tyrone Holmes were surprising to me because I thought they performed well enough to earn a spot on the roster. But, Sunday’s moves tell me one thing: The Browns are not done making moves before they hit the field next Sunday in their season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.