Cleveland Browns release veteran Andrew Hawkins

In a bit of a surprising move that will be felt off the field more than on it, the Cleveland Browns have released veteran Andrew Hawkins.

The Cleveland Browns made a roster move today as they have released veteran wide receiver Andrew Hawkins.

The team announced the move on its website.

Hawkins spent three seasons with the Browns after signing with the club as a free agent. He played in 39 total games for Cleveland, catching 123 passes for 1,424 yards and five touchdowns.

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“It’s tough to say goodbye to men like Hawk, that have done everything you’ve asked of them and gone above and beyond when it comes to leadership,” head coach Hue Jackson said in the news release. “Hawk was a rock for us last season. He kept our locker room together and led by example as he gave everything he had on the field. Our young players are going to be better players and better people because of the time they spent with Andrew Hawkins.”

Hawkins also announced the move in a video on the website Uninterrupted:

Hawkins was a solid influence on the Browns young wide receivers group in the locker room and on the practice field, a fact that some fans did not give him enough credit for. With a roster filled with so many young players, having a veteran teaching them what it takes to be an NFL player during the week is invaluable, which makes his release at least a little bit surprising, although it sounds like the decision was mutual on the part of Hawkins and the Browns.

His release leaves the Browns void of any veteran presence at the wide receiver position. The current top two receivers – Terrelle Pryor and Corey Coleman – both just finished their first year as NFL wide receivers. The rest of the position group includes last year’s rookie draft class and several players who are on the fringe of the roster.

The move certainly can’t hurt Pryor’s bargaining power as he works on a new contract with the Browns. It also could be a prelude to the Browns being active in free agency or taking another shot at a wide receiver in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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While his on-field impact may not be felt this fall, not having Hawkins in the building the rest of the week will be felt at some level. He was one of the good guys and the Browns are better off for having him be a part of the organization for the past three seasons.