Cleveland Browns sign a pair of pass catchers
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns added two pass catchers to the roster over the weekend, signing undrafted free agents Rasheed Bailey and Nate Iese.
The Cleveland Browns made two minor roster moves over the weekend as they signed wide receiver Rasheed Bailey and tight end Nate Iese.
In a corresponding transaction, the Browns released defensive lineman Jamal Marcus and wide receiver James Wright, tapping both players with an injury designation.
The club announced the moves on its website.
Bailey originally signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2015 out of Delaware Valley University, a Division III school. As a senior with the Aggies, Bailey posted 1,707 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns, which were both tops in Division III. He finished his collegiate career with a school-record 3,138 receiving yards.
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He spent time with the Eagles in the 2015 preseason, catching 10 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, but was ultimately released. He spent the 2015 season on the practice squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bailey, who is 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, saw action in one preseason game for the Jaguars last season before being released. He appeared in two preseason games with the San Diego Chargers, but hurt his ankle and was released.
Iese is an undrafted free agent from UCLA, where he played for three years with current Browns wide receiver Jordan Payton.
Iese was a linebacker for the Bruins his freshman year, switched to fullback for his sophomore and junior years, and played his final season at tight end. All told, he finished with 46 receptions for 539 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Being able to settle in at tight end helped Iese’s confidence, according to a 2016 story in The Los Angeles Daily News. Following a loss to Texas A&M to open the season, UCLA head coach Jim Mora planned to cut back Iese’s playing time, but the 6-foot-2 and 249-pounder fought his way back to the top of the depth chart and performed well enough to be included on the John Mackey Award watch list. The award is given each year to the best tight end in the nation.