Tag: Austin Watkins

PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns on offense against the Commanders

Who showed up the most on Friday night?

Though the first-team offense of the Cleveland Browns didn’t score on their lone drive of the game they did march right down the field before stalling inside the five-yard line. Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson looked comfortable and confident running the offense something he did not do in the final six games last year.

Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson continued his impressive preseason and Kellen Mond have some nice plays late in the game. Elijah Moore showed his versatility by lining up in the backfield and producing from that spot while camp standout Austin Watkins continued to shine. Let’s take a look at the 10 highest-graded offensive players from Friday’s game according to PFF.

4 Downs: Starters shine, Dorian Thompson-Robinson stays hot, more takeaways vs. Commanders

What stood out in the preseason game against the Commanders?

While the Cleveland Browns lost in their preseason matchup to the Washington Commanders, there were plenty of reasons to feel positive about the product that was put on the field. We saw some unique usage of new wide receiver Elijah Moore, the first teamers play one series offensively (and a few more series for the defense), and the Browns even fought, scratched, and clawed back into the game to the very end.

This is a great thing to see from a morale and chemistry perspective even if it is second and third stringers on the field.

What were the biggest takeaways here? We break that down in this week’s edition of 4 Downs.

5 players to watch in Friday’s preseason game vs Commanders

Which players have the biggest opportunities to prove themselves on Friday

The NFL preseason is full of opportunities for young players and veterans trying to battle for a roster spot with one of the 32 teams. There was some exciting play last Thursday when the Browns played the New York Jets with another opportunity on Friday as Cleveland hosts the Washington Commanders.

The team is dealing with injuries in the past week which will open opportunities to other players with three remaining preseason games. The defensive line has the most chances with Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas having surgery and missing several weeks.

There are five players that I am specifically watching this weekend to see if they can seize the opportunity in front of them.

WATCH: Dorian Thompson-Robinson catches fire, hits Austin Watkins for six

What a debut for the fifth round rookie quarterback!

The Cleveland Browns drafted Dorian Thompson-Robinson out of UCLA to be the backup to Deshaun Watson in the future. And he has had quite the debut in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the New York Jets. Connecting with Austin Watkins, Thompson-Robinson throws his first career touchdown (even if it is an exhibition game).

He now sits 7-10 for 75 yards, running for another 30 as well.

The Browns now lead the Jets 16-21 with nine minutes left in the game.

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Browns sign USFL wide receiver Austin Watkins for training camp

The former USFL wide out is headed to Cleveland for training camp

The Browns have reported to Berea for training camp as they head to the Greenbrier in West Virginia for the start of training camp. Before they head off however they have added former USFL champion wide receiver Austin Watkins prior to the start of camp.

Watkins is a bigger-bodied wide receiver with reliable hands who played this past season with Birmingham Stallions. He totaled 16 catches for 197 yards and a touchdown for the Stallions. Watkins went to UAB for college where he was a First-Team All-Conference in 2020 before going undrafted during the 2021 draft. It will be a battle for him to make the roster as he likely is just a camp body for now.

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49ers undrafted WR Austin Watkins clears waivers, reverts to IR

Undrafted rookie WR Austin Watkins Jr. reverted to Injured Reserve for the 49ers after clearing waivers.

Recently-waived rookie wide receiver Austin Watkins is back with the 49ers. San Francisco waived Watkins with an injury designation after he suffered a broken foot in the preseason opener. The injury designation means he reverts to the 49ers’ Injured Reserve list.

Watkins will have two options now that he’s on IR. First, he can opt to stay on IR all season with the 49ers. He can rehab at the facility, but he won’t be eligible to play this year because he went on the injured list before final roster cuts.

His other option is to reach an injury settlement, which would release him off the 49ers’ IR and make him an unrestricted free agent.

The 49ers signed Watkins as an undrafted free agent following this year’s draft. The University of Alabama-Birmingham alum hauled in 98 catches for 1,642 yards and nine touchdowns. He had an outside shot to make the roster, but he was likely a player the 49ers were going to try and get to the practice squad after final roster cuts. Now he’s in line to be around the club all season and then competing for a roster spot in 2022.

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49ers officially sign 10 rookies, Trey Lance not among them

The San Francisco 49ers signed 10 rookies, including five draft picks to contracts. Trey Lance was not among them.

The San Francisco 49ers on Thursday made 10 rookie signings official, including five of their eight draft picks and five undrafted free agents.

No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance was not among the players to sign one day before the start of rookie minicamp. Third-round picks RB Trey Sermon and CB Ambry Thomas have also yet to ink their rookie deals.

Given the standardized nature of the NFL’s four-year rookie contracts for draft picks there’s not a ton to iron out and the signings are more of a formality than anything. Players just have to sign before training camp starts or they’ll have to hold out.

There weren’t any surprises among the undrafted players either. San Francisco’s UDFA class is relatively small with four plus their signee via the NFL international pathway program.

Here are the 10 rookies who inked their deals Thursday: