Browns release Brian Hartline

An overhaul of the Cleveland Browns' roster is continuing well into the latter stages of the offseason.

The club announced the release of Brian Hartline on Monday, parting ways with the veteran wideout halfway into the two-year, $6-million contract he signed last March.

Hartline started in four of his 12 regular-season appearances in 2015, hauling in 46 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns.

Moving on without the 29-year-old clears the way for the youth movement at receiver. First-round rookie Corey Coleman will be one of several players in line for a more substantial role from the outset, and the Browns will hope Josh Gordon can be reinstated from suspension and do the same.

Cleveland's trio of Day 3 receiver picks - Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton, and Rashard Higgins - should also push for rotational snaps sooner rather than later.

Hartline, a seven-year veteran, will be immediately free to sign with another team. He'll presumably land elsewhere and have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp.