CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns bolstered the receiving corps by acquiring multi-time Pro Bowl pass catcher Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants on March 13, and on the first day of the offseason workout program, they added more depth on the outside of the offense.
The Browns announced several moves prior to the start of the offseason program Monday, including the signing of restricted free-agent receiver Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins.
Along with Higgins, the Browns signed free-agent defensive back Juston Burris, as well as two of their exclusive-rights free agents, defensive back Jermaine Whitehead and defensive lineman Trevon Coley. Also, the Browns waived defensive back Derrick Kindred, cornerback Howard Wilson and wide receiver Ricardo Louis.
A fifth-round pick of the Browns in the 2016 NFL Draft, Higgins had a career year in 2018.
Higgins turned 39 receptions into 572 yards, an average of 14.7 yards per catch, and ranked tied for second on the team with four receiving touchdowns. Higgins set new single-season career highs for receptions, yards, yards per catch and touchdowns in 2018.
Over his first three seasons with the Browns, Higgins converted his 72 receptions into 961 yards and six touchdowns.
Initially, Higgins was waived at the end of training camp in 2017, and later, signed with the practice squad, only to be elevated to the active roster just one week later. Higgins took advantage of the second chance, catching 27 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns.
Those two touchdowns came in the regular-season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
Higgins had one of the Browns’ most memorable celebrations of the 2018 season. Nicknamed “Hollywood,” Higgins lived up to that moniker in a 26-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland on December 23.
After hauling in a 17-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, Higgins decided it was time to walk the red carpet, and his teammates joined in on the celebration, as they served as mock photographers angling to get the best pictures.
