Browns suddenly cutting preseason star now makes more sense after Cleveland’s latest signing
The Browns have made a bunch of roster moves on Tuesday and one of them was bringing in a veteran cornerback free agent.
The Cleveland Browns made a surprising move on Tuesday when they waived undrafted free agent cornerback Michael Coats Jr. just days after he earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster. Coats, who went undrafted out of West Virginia, was the only undrafted free agent to make Cleveland’s opening roster after a solid preseason. His time with the Browns may have ended before it truly began.
Cleveland has been busy shuffling its 53-man roster to start the week. One move brought in former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams, and the other has been filled with a cornerback addition.
Browns add veteran cornerback after parting ways with Michael Coats Jr.
First reported by The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero, the Browns signed veteran cornerback Noah Igbinoghene to replace Coats. Igbinoghene is a former first-round pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, selected by the Miami Dolphins. The former Auburn standout never found his footing in three seasons with Miami and struggled to carve out a role in Brian Flores’ defense.
Igbinoghene spent the 2023 season with the Cowboys before landing with the Washington Commanders, where he served as rotational depth over the past two seasons. His 2024 campaign was his best as a pro, when he recorded 55 tackles, seven pass breakups, and 10 starts for Washington. He followed that up by playing in 15 games for the Commanders last season, breaking up five passes with 35 tackles.
Still just 26 years old, Igbinoghene spent this preseason with the Seattle Seahawks but did not make their 53-man roster. He figures into Cleveland’s cornerback depth as a player who could be needed in a pinch due to injury. He also has the ability to play the slot, which could put him in competition with Myles Harden for snaps there.
The Browns clearly wanted to add another veteran presence to the defensive backfield, and Igbinoghene’s experience as a former first-round pick with starting reps gives him an edge over an undrafted rookie, at this time at least. It’s a move that prioritizes the known over the unknown, even if Coats flashed during the preseason.
The question now is whether the Browns can get Coats back to the practice squad or if his time in Cleveland ended as abruptly as it appeared. For now, Igbinoghene gives the Browns a more experienced option in a secondary that needs reliable depth heading into the regular season.
