Reasons Browns Receiver Austin Watkins Left for Eagles

Green is not the first notable name to sign with a new squad. Promising wide receiver Austin Watkins agreed to a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Watkins became a fan favorite in the preseason, leading the Browns in receiving yards during the four exhibition matchups. He was the only Cleveland player with double-digit receptions, notching 16 for 257 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Watkins was cut at the end of the preseason but added back to the practice squad. He did not appear in a game with the Browns and didn’t feel like he got a fair shake, per Noah Weiskopf of theOBR.com.

“While sources say Watkins does get along with the Browns front office, there’s also a feeling that he wasn’t given a fair shot this season to showcase his abilities, especially after having the preseason that he did,” Weiskopf wrote.

Safety Tanner McCalister also moved on, signing with the Denver Broncos. He was elevated for three games last season.

The Browns announced the signing of nine players to reserve/futures contracts on Monday, January 15. That included receiver Jaelon Darden, cornerback Vincent Gray, running back John Kelly Jr., tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden, offensive tackle Justin Murray, defensive end Lonnie Phelps, linebacker Charlie Thomas III, defensive end Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Chris Williams.

Defensive tackle Jayden Peevy and linebacker Caleb Johnson were other additions to the reserve/future contracts group.

 

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