The Browns have reached a deal with placekicker Shayne Graham, the team said Monday night.
Graham, 35, connected on 31-of-38 field goals in 16 regular-season games with Houston in 2012. He averaged 63.0 yards on 91 kickoffs (28 touchbacks).
Graham, who joins Brandon Bogotay as the Browns’ kicking options 10 days away from the draft, becomes the favorite to replace Phil Dawson, who signed with San Francisco earlier in the offseason. Also, his addition conceivably reduces some of the need for the Browns to add a rookie kicker with a draft pick. However, it’s possible they could still add to the position. According to Mike Garofolo of USA Today, Graham received a one-year, minimum-salary contract from Cleveland.
Graham’s calling card is his dependability on shorter kicks. He has hit 169-of-181 regular-season field goals from 39 yards and inward in his career -- a 93.4 percent strike rate. However, he’s just 13-of-27 on regular-season field goals of 50 yards and longer, and kickoffs are not regarded as a strength.