When Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected on a touchdown pass against the New York Jets in the preseason, you probably wondered who that was that ran the clean route.

It was Austin Watkins, a former undrafted free agent that hopes to land with the Cleveland Browns.

Watkins ran a quick slant that froze the cornerback on his way to a 22-yard touchdown untouched. In the game, Watkins led the Browns with 35 receiving yards on two grabs.

Every training camp, there is one player who just jumps out that you probably have never heard of before. Watkins just might be that guy for the Browns this year.

“He had to learn fast, but for him to be able to come out and be productive for this team and this offense has been great…he asks a lot of questions and he's a guy that wants to learn and try to help this team,” quarterback Deshaun Watson said recently.

Since being undrafted out of UAB in 2021, Watkins has been around, even further than the NFL. In his rookie season, he spent time with the San Francisco 49ers. The following year, Watkins had some time on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before going joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League.

Many believed that Watkins was going to be drafted out of UAB. During his redshirt junior season, Watkins had 1,092 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

This year, Watkins has spent time with the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions. He had a touchdown and 197 receiving yards on 16 catches. Watkins was released from his contract in July to sign with the Browns.

Cracking the roster won’t be easy. The best bet for Watkins is to make the practice squad and develop from there. At 25 years old, Watkins still has time to carve out a spot in the NFL.

Watkins is a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. Quarterbacks like bigger receivers that offer a bigger target for them to get a pass to.

Cleveland has questions at the end of the wideout room with Marquise Goodwin currently sidelined with blood clots. Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and David Bell occupy the top five spots. Cleveland’s sixth spot in the wide receiver room comes down to Jakeem Grant Sr., Jaelon Darden, Anthony Schwartz, and Watkins.

Watkins needs a really strong camp to crack that final spot but Cleveland would be wise to at least keep him on the practice squad. 

Browns Training Camp: Plans for Commanders’ game rolled out, update on injured running back

Day 12 featured some good moments for the Browns, as well as some key updates.

Featured image via Scott Galvin USA TODAY-Sports.