Browns to sign G Watford

The Cleveland Browns signed free agent guard Earl Watford, the team announced on Tuesday. The Browns also announced they waived wide receiver Evan Berry, offensive lineman Kevin Bowen, defensive lineman Marcell Frazier, offensive lineman Geoff Gray and kicker Ross Martin. In addition, tight end Julian Allen was released from injured reserve. The 28-year-old Watford was released by the Chicago Bears on Sunday after they were unable to arrange a trade with another team. The Browns are expected to go with Kevin Zeitler and second-round pick Austin Corbetton as their starting guards this season, so Watford may have been added to provide depth at the position heading into the start of the regular seasons. Watford spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, who selected him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft after he played four seasons at James Madison, an FCS school. He has played in 42 NFL games, including 22 starts. Watford started 11 games for Arizona in 2016, and the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Watford to a two-year, $6 million contract in March 2017. He competed for a starting job at Jacksonville, but became a backup as the regular season neared. The Jaguars released him on Sept. 8, 2017, and he was signed by the Cardinals to a one-year contract on Oct. 2, 2017. Watford started nine games for Arizona last season. The Bears signed Watford to a one-year contract in April of this year.