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Browns assistant GM describes new addition as a 'fit' for defense
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- Browns assistant GM describes new addition as a 'fit' for defense
After a long offseason filled with plenty of drama, the Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry have seemingly settled on a 53-man roster before the 2026-27 NFL regular season.
The recent 53-man roster cutdown period saw plenty of preseason standouts not making the roster, including hometown hero Luke Floriea . However, the Browns did not hesitate to add multiple defensive players to the roster during this period, in hopes that the newcomers can provide depth to a roster that clearly needs it ahead of the upcoming season.
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When asked about searching for players on the waivers, Browns' Assistant GM & Vice President of Football Operations Catherine Hickman told reporters on Wednesday that the team looked for players that could give the defense "flexibility" this season.
"I'd view them as opportunities to get the roster better, and I think that's what we try to do at cutdown," Hickman stated. "There are many avenues to player acquisition, whether that's claiming a guy like [Mekhi] Blackmon, or adding Noah [Igbinoghene] and Tori [ Toriano Pride Jr. ]. Those are just players that come in and give us flexibility, give us some veteran presence as well, experience. That's just more help for our defense, and it gives flexibility and options to our coaching staff."
Browns' newest additions
One of the main position groups the organization needed to address following the conclusion of the preseason was the depth at the cornerback position.
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While general manager Andrew Berry managed to sign star corner Denzel Ward to a contract extension this offseason, the number of capable cornerbacks on the roster remained slim. This prompted the front office to sign numerous defensive backs last week, including Mekhi Blackmon , Toriano Pride Jr., and Noah Igbinoghene .
The most notable signee out of the trio was Igbinoghene -- a former first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins . Throughout his six seasons in the NFL, the 26-year-old bounced from Miami to Dallas , and finally played his last two seasons with the Washington Commanders . Igbinoghene recorded 119 tackles, 17 pass deflections, and one interception in 69 games, and could be a perfect young, experienced depth piece in the secondary unit.
In addition to Igbinoghene, Berry and the front office signed Pride , who was a seventh-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the most recent NFL Draft. Along with Pride, the Browns also landed Blackmon -- a 27-year-old cornerback with two years of NFL experience under his belt.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns assistant GM describes new addition as a 'fit' for defense
