The Cleveland Browns release tight end Gary Barnidge

Less than 24 hours after trading back into the first round to draft rookie TE David Njoku, the Cleveland Browns have parted ways with veteran TE Gary Barnidge.

• Barnidge ranked 25th among 63 qualified tight ends last season with a 70.6 overall grade. His 76.0 pass blocking grade led all tight ends in 2016 but he ranked 50th with a run blocking grade of 43.6.
• Barnidge’s 123 pass blocking snaps last season lead all tight ends as he allowed just three total pressures.
• Barnidge wasn’t used much in the deep passing game in 2016, he ranked third among tight ends in 2015, however, in terms of both catch rate (60 percent) and receptions (six) on deep passes (balls that travel at least 20 yards in the air).
• Over the past two seasons, Browns QB's had a 111.1 QB Rating on 73 targets to Barnidge at the intermediate level (10-19 yards in the air).