One preseason game is in the books, and there is much for the Cleveland Browns to encouraged by. For one, Shedeur Sanders looks like he belongs. The rookie quarterback impressed in his unofficial debut, completing 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Even with that, thereâs still work to be done.
The Browns made a flurry of roster moves on Monday, including signing a pair of young cornerbacks aimed at improving their depth in the secondary. Christian Holmes and Darius Rush were added to the roster ahead of Saturdayâs preseason tilt against the Philadelphia Eagles.
In corresponding moves, wide receiver Luke Floriea (injury designation) and offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka were waived. The Browns also designated offensive tackle Kilian Zierer as the teamâs international player.
Browns Address Depth at Cornerback
Holmes spent his first two seasons with the Washington Commanders. A seventh-round pick (240th overall) in 2022 from Oklahoma State, he was used primarily on special teams. In 30 total games, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Holmes recorded 20 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one pass defended.
The New York Giants claimed Holmes off waivers last August but waived him later that month before final cutdowns. He was entering the third year of a four-year, $3.75 million rookie contract.
Prior to signing with Cleveland, Holmes, 27, also worked out for the New England Patriots, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston.
Rush, 25, was drafted in the fifth round (138th overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 but failed to make the team out of training camp. Since then, the former South Carolina product has bounced between practice squads for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rush also appeared in three regular-season games for Pittsburgh in 2023, recording three tackles and a pass defended.
The Browns return their core group of cornerbacks, including four-time Pro Bowler Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II. But it doesnât hurt for them to test out depth options in the meantime.
Floriea, 23, has been impressive in training camp but exited the preseason opener with a hamstring strain. According to 850 ESPN Cleveland’s Brad Stainbrook, the undrafted rookie from Kent State will be sidelined up to three weeks. If Floriea clears waivers, he will revert to the Brownsâ practice squad.
German Product is a Longterm Project at Tackle
The 6-foot-7, 312-pound Zierer was claimed off waivers earlier this month. A native of Munich, Germany, Zierer spent last season on the Houston Texansâ practice squad by way of the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) Program, which strives to increase opportunities for players born outside of the U.S.
Zierer, 25, began his college career at the College of the Canyons in Santa, Clara, Calif., before transferring in 2020 to Auburn, where he became a full-time starter. He didn’t start playing football until he was 16 years old.
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