The battle for roster spots along the Cleveland Browns offensive line just got another candidate. Per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, the Browns have signed former Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals guard Earl Watford just two days before the team’s preseason finale. #Browns are signing former #Bears OL Earl Watford, source says. Cut by Chicago the other day. — Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 28, 2018 Watford was a somewhat surprising release by the Bears over the weekend. He signed in Chicago this offseason after starting 20 games in the last two seasons for the Cardinals. The 28-year-old from James Madison primarily plays right guard but has some experience playing right tackle as well. Cleveland’s depth on the interior offensive line has not been impressive this preseason. Watford’s experience should help elevate him quickly into primary contention for one of the two or three presumptive reserve spots on the interior line.<doc-sep>Getty Images The Bears weren’t able to find a team to trade for guard Earl Watford before releasing him on Sunday, but it appears Watford had better luck when it came to finding a team as a free agent. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that the Browns will sign Watford on Tuesday. Watford signed with the Bears in April after spending the first five years of his career with the Cardinals. Watford made 21 starts over his final three years in Arizona and has played in 43 regular season games overall. With Kevin Zeitler and second-round pick Austin Corbett on hand at guard, the Browns are likely going to look at Watford as a depth option as they set the roster for the start of the regular season.<doc-sep>GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Offensive guard Earl Watford #71 of the Arizona Cardinals walks on the field during the first half of the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Cleveland Browns: Three players that can ‘earn their stripe’ Thursday night by Dan Justik The Cleveland Browns have seen enough of their guards to know they needed help, which is why they signed veteran Earl Watford on Tuesday We have all seen the issues the Cleveland Browns have had this preseason at the offensive guard position. With right guard Kevin Zeitler out injured and Joel Bitonio moved over to left tackle as the replacement for Joe Thomas, the Browns have been starting Austin Corbett and Spencer Drango. Corbett has had his rookie bumps along the way but has shown promise. Drango, on the other hand, has been a liability. They hope he won’t be out there much longer, but another injury to Zeitler would put him back as a starter. That’s why many of us paid attention when news broke that veteran guard Earl Watford was released by the Chicago Bears early this week. Apparently, the front office also paid attention because on Tuesday, the Browns did come to terms with the veteran. Confirming the #Browns have signed OL Earl Watford, cut by the #Bears — Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) August 28, 2018 Watford was originally a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals out of James Madison back in 2013 and was with them until 2016. After that, he spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars and most recently, the Bears. He’s played 43 games and started 21 of them in that time. For the Browns, the hope is still that Corbett, the No. 33 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, becomes a solid starter at the left position. They also would love to see Zeitler back in the mix at right guard. Watford now is simply an emergency option that they have to feel much better about than they were with Drango.<doc-sep>
On Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns signed veteran offensive guard Earl Watford, according to multiple reports. A fourth-round pick in 2013 by the Arizona Cardinals, Watford spent four seasons with the club, starting 21 games (including 2 games in 2017) at both guard positions and right tackle. Watford signed with the Chicago Bears this offseason, and it was considered a moderate surprise when they cut him the other day, although the writing appeared to be on the wall with recent reports indicating that Chicago had been trying to trade him. Cleveland’s offensive line is constructed with versatile linemen who can play multiple positions, and Watford adds even more flexibility to the group. When looking at roster cuts, it’s always important to have backup linemen who can play multiple spots in order to minimize the amount of players the team must keep at the position. The Browns could be giving Watford a heavy look this Thursday against the Detroit Lions. Why? Because Spencer Drango and Austin Corbett have been playing just about every snap at the guard positions this preseason, so the team doesn’t have much film of their depth on tape. Watford isn’t that big of a name to where he’ll be guaranteed to make the 53-man roster, but you would figure that Cleveland wouldn’t sign a veteran player this close to roster cuts without giving him serious consideration for making it. Once the signing becomes official, a corresponding roster move should be coming so the Browns stay within the limit of a 90-man roster.