The Cleveland Browns have made one thing abundantly clear this offseason: Fans' feelings aren't part of their process on personnel decisions.
One day after the Cleveland Browns decided not to pursue fan-favorite wide receiver Luke Floriea for their practice squad, they waived training camp gem Michael Coats Jr. in favor of a cornerback with more proven experience.
Per NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Browns moved quickly to sign former first-round draft pick Noah Igbinoghene, who was released by the Seattle Seahawks but bypassed the NFL’s waiver system as a vested veteran.
ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi highlighted the good and bad news with Igbinoghene — the good being his alignment versatility and special teams acumen. On the concerning side, he’s been a journeyman, now with his third different team in two years, and his struggles in press-man coverage have been well documented.
“The 26-year-old was a first-round pick of the Dolphins in the 2020 draft,” Oyefusi wrote. “Struggled in Miami and Brian Flores’ man-heavy scheme but has spent time in Dallas and Washington the past couple years. Veteran corner with 17 starts and ST experience.”
The other concern involves Coats and his chances of clearing waivers and potentially getting added back onto Cleveland’s practice squad in the coming days. He missed the final week of the preseason with a lower-body injury, and while head coach Todd Monken said he didn’t expect it to be a long-term issue, Coats’ health could work in the Browns’ favor as he hits the waiver wire.
The Cleveland Browns are playing a dangerous game with a young cornerback they clearly like
Monken was asked about Coats prior to Monday’s practice, and he gave no indication that the lone undrafted rookie to make the Browns' initial 53-man roster was in danger of getting waived 24 hours later.
“There’s a lot to like, just how he goes about his daily preparation, and he made a bunch of plays,” Monken said. “Let’s just say it like it is, every day you walked out there, he made a bunch of plays. So, it’s really easy. That’s what you should do. You should reward the players who make a bunch of plays in camp, and that’s what he did.”
The Browns have now made a series of roster moves at cornerback, including claiming veteran Mekhi Blackmon and seventh-round rookie Toriano Pride Jr. off waivers.
Igbinoghene has aligned more prominently in the slot (991 career snaps) than on the boundary (664 snaps), per Pro Football Focus, so he probably projects best as the top backup to Myles Harden out of the gate.
The Browns' cornerback depth chart is almost unrecognizable from the start of training camp
With Coats hopefully headed to the practice squad, here’s an updated look at the Browns’ cornerback depth chart:
- LCB: Denzel Ward | Mekhi Blackmon
- RCB: Tyson Campbell | Toriano Pride Jr.
- NICKEL: Myles Harden | Noah Igbinoghene
Coats is on the smaller side at 5-foot-10, but he showed the ability to make plays both on the boundary and in the slot during the Browns’ two preseason games. He had a highlight-reel pass breakup and interception against the Bears.
The West Virginia product hasn’t played a ton of football throughout his journey to the NFL, but it’s definitely awkward that Cleveland would risk losing Coats on waivers after adding three players to the active roster who haven’t yet practiced with the team.
Welcome to life as a Browns fan. The front office probably has its reasons, but it’s been a rough two-week stretch with Deshaun Watson being named the starting quarterback, the team ditching Floriea, and now Coats, who appeared to earn his spot in camp this summer.
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