The Cleveland Browns continue their roster overhaul, releasing veteran wide receiver Andrew Hawkins. He announced the move on social media, saying he met with the team last week and both sides decided it was time to part ways.
Hawkins spent three seasons in Cleveland after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals. Hawkins has had an inconsistent career, although each stop brought one particularly good season. In 2012 with the Bengals, Hawkins caught 51 passes for 533 yards and four touchdowns. In 2014 with the Browns, Hawkins caught 63 passes for 824 yards and two touchdowns.
The latter performance is notable because San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was the Browns’ offensive coordinator for that season (h/t KNBR’s Kevin Jones). Hawkins is a “little guy,” measuring in at 5’7, 180 pounds. He is 31, so he would not be a long-term option, but if the 49ers are looking to add some veteran depth in a slot role, they could do worse than Hawkins. They need bodies to compete, and while he has limited upside, his previous work with Shanahan could certainly lead to a meeting.