Browns claim CB Mekhi Blackmon off waivers from Colts to bolster a thin cornerback group

The Cleveland Browns are adding veteran help at cornerback, claiming Mekhi Blackmon off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, according to Yahoo Sports. The move is intended to address what the team described as a thinning position group and to provide more options during a late-summer stretch when depth matters most for coverage rotations and special-teams roles.

Blackmon’s arrival gives Cleveland an additional veteran presence in a secondary that has to balance experience with scheme fit. For a defense built on disciplined spacing, extra bodies during the final weeks of training camp can reduce the risk of coverage breakdowns when starters need rest or when specific matchups require a change in personnel.

The timing of the waiver addition also aligns with an offseason narrative that has dominated Cleveland’s attention: a quarterback battle that, at least for now, has been settled by the head coach. Todd Monken announced that Deshaun Watson would be the starter for the Browns when they open the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to the report. That clarification can stabilize practice reps and sharpen the offense’s timing, especially as game planning accelerates.

Watson’s appointment as the starter is described as an “at least temporarily” resolved situation, suggesting that the decision is meant to carry Cleveland through the opener while still leaving room for adjustments if circumstances change. For a team, even a temporary stance can influence the entire week-to-week rhythm, from how often backups work with the first-team unit to how quickly the staff can prioritize specific play calls.

Monken’s decision, combined with the waiver claim at cornerback, points to a common theme for roster construction in late August: tightening the parts that can swing quickly once the preseason ends. When a defensive position is described as thin, teams often prioritize depth that can handle standard coverages and keep practice intensity high without forcing the remaining players into an outsized workload.

For Blackmon and Cleveland, the practical question now is how the veteran fits into the Browns’ coverage package and rotation. The next steps will be visible in the way the coaching staff deploys him during practices and preseason snaps, and whether he earns a defined role on defense and special teams before the regular-season opener.

For fans and evaluators, the storylines converge on two fronts: Cleveland’s ability to keep defensive performance steady despite a thin cornerback group, and how quickly Watson and the offense can translate the starter announcement into consistent execution against a Jaguars opponent in Week 1.