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Cleveland Browns: 20 Worst free agents signings in franchise history

By Randy Gurzi

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBR 24: Andre Rison #80 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL Football game September 24, 1995 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Rison played for the Browns in 1995. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBR 24: Andre Rison #80 of the Cleveland Browns in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL Football game September 24, 1995 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Rison played for the Browns in 1995. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 1: Wide receiver Brian Hartline #83 of the Cleveland Browns catches a touchdown pass while under pressure from free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 1, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns worst free agents signings No. 19: Brian Hartline, Wide Receiver

One thing that happens a lot with Browns fans — and it could be other fan bases as well — is they get a little overzealous when it comes to the hometown kids getting a shot. it doesn’t happen as much as it would seem with Ohio State being a powerhouse, but the Browns don’t really draft a ton of players from there.

They have, however, taken on some veterans as free-agent additions such as the aforementioned Carlos Hyde in 2018 and wide receiver Brian Hartline in 2015.

A former fourth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, Hartline spent six seasons in South Beach and carved out a nice career for himself. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Dolphins in 2012 and 2013 and finished his career there with 298 receptions for 4,243 yards with 12 touchdowns.

He was released following the 2014 campaign and went home to play for the Browns on a two-year deal worth $6 million. Things didn’t work out between the two sides as Hartline played for just one season in Cleveland.

During that year, he had 46 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t terrible but he also didn’t perform the way they hoped and he was released during the 2016 offseason.

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