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Cleveland Browns sign defensive back Eric Patterson

By Thomas Moore

Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is tackled by St. Louis Rams cornerback Eric Patterson (24) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Lions 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is tackled by St. Louis Rams cornerback Eric Patterson (24) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Lions 21-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns brought their roster to 90 players with the signing of defensive back Eric Patterson.

The Cleveland Browns signed defensive back Eric Patterson on Monday after seeing Patterson’s work during the three-day rookie minicamp.

The transaction, which was announced on the team’s website, brings the team’s roster to the NFL-maximum of 90 players.

Patterson, who is 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds, was a two-time All-MAC Third Team selection as a defensive back (2012 and 2014) with Ball State. He also earned a First Team all-conference selection as a kick returner in 2014 as he averaged 25.7 yards on 23 returns. He started in 28 of 41 games during his four-year career at Ball State and finished with 135 total tackles and six interceptions.

He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New England Patriots following the 2015 NFL Draft after also trying out for the Browns.

Related: Cleveland Browns: The 2016 cornerbacks

“It’s a great feeling, because I worked so hard for it,” Patterson told The Ball State Daily at the time. “In college, and high school growing up, [I was] just always wanting to be in the NFL. The teams that said they liked me, just giving me a tryout — that really hurt. But for the Patriots to offer me a contract, that means a lot.”

He was subsequently released by the Patriots and appeared in two games with the Indianapolis Colts and one game with the St. Louis Rams. He also spent nine weeks on the Rams’ practice squad and one week on the Colts’ practice squad.

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Patterson was waived by the Rams on May 4.

The addition of Patterson further crowds the Browns secondary, which now has 11 players at the cornerback position. In addition to Patterson, the Browns selected cornerback Trey Caldwell in the fifth round and traded with the Miami Dolphins for cornerback Jamar Taylor.

The Browns have found gems from undrafted free agents before, but given Patterson’s size and the number of cornerbacks that may be heading to training camp, it seems likely that special teams will be the only avenue he can travel to secure a roster spot.

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