Marcell Frazier

Browns Waive Kicker Ross Martin

The Browns’ kicking job appears to belong to Zane Gonzalez. On Tuesday, the Browns waived kicker Ross Martin, along with five others.

Gonzalez nailed a 54-yard field goal in Thursday night’s preseason win over the Eagles, and that may have given him the leg up. Despite some misses in Sunday’s practice, Gonzalez edged out Martin.

Obviously, Gonzo kicked a 54-yarder” coach Hue Jackson said this week (via Nate Ulrich of the Beacon Journal). “That was huge. Today, he missed a couple. We will go back and watch the tape. I still think that he is in the lead.

In addition to Martin, wide receiver Evan Berry, defensive lineman Marcell Frazier, and offensive linemen Kevin Bowen and Geoff Gray. The Browns also released tight end Julian Allen from injured reserve.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/18/18

Here are Friday’s minor moves.

Cleveland Browns

  • Claimed off waivers from Seahawks: DE Marcell Frazier
  • Waived: LB Austin Calitro

Indianapolis Colts

New England Patriots

Seahawks Sign LB Shaquem Griffin

The Seahawks have officially signed fifth-round linebacker Shaquem Griffin and fifth-round defensive back Tre Flowers. With those moves, only defensive end Rasheem Green remains unsigned, as shown on PFR’s tracker

Griffin was one of the most inspirational stories to come out of this year’s draft. The UCF product lost his left hand due to a rare condition but never gave up on his football dream. Last year, he was first-team all-American Athletic Conference as he notched 74 tackles (13.5 for loss), a team-high seven sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. The Seahawks, who believe that he’ll make a fine weakside linebacker at the pro level, have paired him with his twin brother Shaquill Griffin, who plays cornerback for Seattle.

As shown on Roster Resource, the rookie linebacker projects to serve as the first outside linebacker off of the bench in support of starters Barkevious Mingo and K.J. Wright. Flowers, meanwhile, will move from safety to cornerback where he’ll fight for time in reserve alongside Dontae Johnson, Byron Maxwell, and others. Justin Coleman and Shaquill Griffin will be the team’s first-string corners.

To make room for the new additions, the Seahawks have waived defensive ends Marcell Frazier and Noble Nwachukwu. Seattle also confirmed the signings of wide receiver Keenan Reynolds and linebacker Dadi Nicolas, which were reported on Wednesday.

Seahawks Add 15 UDFAs

Beginning their rookie minicamp on Friday, the Seahawks announced their undrafted rookie class. Fifteen players comprise this contingent. Here’s the full rundown:

Interestingly, this class houses just two offensive line hopefuls. Lundblade was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last year. The Seahawks used just one of their draft choices, a sixth-rounder, on what’s been a troublesome area for the franchise for years. Seattle’s only free agency add here was D.J. Fluker, who worked mostly as a depth piece for an embattled Giants team in 2017.

Seattle brought in three wide receivers after not addressing the position in the draft. All check in at 6-foot-1 or taller. The two fullbacks bring the Seahawks’ total to four, and counting notable fifth-round pick Shaquem Griffin and sixth-rounder Jacob Martin, Seattle’s added six rookie linebackers this year.