Browns released WR Davone Bess.

Just 11 months ago, the Browns traded for Bess and signed him to a four-year contract that included $5.75 million guaranteed. Unbeknownst to them, he was dealing with mental problems that resurfaced late in the 2013 season and landed him on the reserve/NFI list. Before that, he was among the least effective receivers in the NFL, catching 42 passes for 362 yards with two touchdowns and leading the league with 14 drops. The Browns are going to try to void the guaranteed $3.067 million Bess still has left on his contract.

Davone Bess has not spoken to the Browns since they revamped their front office, replacing GM Mike Lombardi with Ray Farmer.

It's notable because Bess recently checked himself into a mental facility, and Profootballtalk.com has reported the Browns hope to void the guaranteed money left on Bess' contract. "I haven't talked to the Browns, and I don't know how they feel about me," he said. Bess led the NFL with 14 dropped passes in 2013.

Profootballtalk reports the Browns hope to void the $3.067 million guaranteed they owe Davone Bess for 2014.

Unbeknownst to Cleveland, Bess was dealing with mental issues when he was acquired from the Dolphins last April. The problems resurfaced late in 2013, and Bess was placed on the reserve/NFI list. According to PFT, the Browns believe that voided the guarantees in Bess' deal. Bess is signed through 2016. Going on 29, Bess was extremely ineffective before last year's issues.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer guesses the Browns will release Davone Bess.

This is going to be a complicated situation. The Browns unknowingly traded for damaged goods in Bess, who had been involuntarily hospitalized in a mental institution six weeks before the deal. Then they gave him a four-year deal that included $5.75 million guaranteed. The Browns might have a case against the Dolphins to recoup some of their cash, but the NFL is unlikely to give them any cap relief. Bess had just 42 catches for 362 yards with two touchdowns and dropped 14 passes before leaving the team in late December.

The Miami Herald reports the Dolphins didn't tell the Browns about Davone Bess' apparent instability before trading him on draft weekend.

The Dolphins knew Bess had issues, but they took a "don't-ask-don't-tell approach" on the subject when they were in the process of shopping Bess and eventually trading him. Cleveland then inked Bess to a three-year contract extension. Now, it's probably not the first time a team has knowingly pawned off damaged goods to another team, but this just adds to ex-GM Jeff Ireland's poor reputation. Owner Stephen Ross has said he wants to find a new GM who has "integrity."

The Miami Herald reports Davone Bess was Baker Acted back in March of 2013.

Davone Bess was arrested for assaulting a police officer/firefighter Friday morning at Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Airport.

Bess has been in the news recently, and not for reasons you'd want to be in the news. He's posted photos online of what appears to be marijuana the past few weeks and left the Browns ahead of Week 15 for personal reasons. There are no further details on Bess' Friday-morning arrest, but he was taken into custody shortly after 6 AM local time. He's coming off one of the worst seasons of his career.

Browns placed WR Davone Bess on reserve/NFI.

Davone Bess is listed as questionable for Week 16, as he's dealing with a "serious family issue."

Details are unclear but Bess didn't practice on Thursday or Friday. The Browns' backup slot receiver is Josh Cooper. Greg Little can also play inside.

Davone Bess (illness) is not practicing Thursday.

Davone Bess caught three passes for 28 yards in Week 13 versus Jacksonville.

Bess drew five targets on the day. His 28 yards were his most since Week 3. Bess is miles away from fantasy relevance. He's battled drops this season and is on pace for a quiet 53-457-2 line in his first season with Cleveland.

Davone Bess caught five passes for 27 yards in Sunday's Week 12 loss to the Steelers.

Bess started over Greg Little this week and played the slot in three-wide sets. He finished with eight targets and scored on a two-point conversion late in the fourth quarter. Bess has just nine catches for 54 yards over the last three weeks and can continue to be ignored in most formats.

Davone Bess had one catch for three yards in Week 11 against the Bengals.

Bess played behind Greg Little in two wide-sets and finished with six targets. He's no higher than the No. 5 option in the passing game and can continue to be avoided in all fantasy leagues.

Davone Bess caught three passes for 24 yards and two touchdowns in Week 9 against the Ravens.

Davone Bess caught three passes for 27 yards in Week 8 against the Chiefs.

Bess got the majority of snaps over Greg Little in two-wide sets, but had three drops and a costly fumble on a punt return late in the fourth quarter. With Jason Campbell starting at quarterback, he finished behind only Josh Gordon with eight targets. Still, it was a disastrous performance. Continue to ignore Bess in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Davone Bess caught two passes for 11 yards in the Browns' Week 7 loss to the Packers.

Rookie Micah Hyde had good coverage on Bess, who didn't help his own cause with a noticeable drop. Bess has 32 yards over the past two games. He is not worth owning in fantasy leagues regardless of scoring format.

Davone Bess had two catches for 21 yards in Week 6 against the Lions.

Bess was demoted from the starting lineup in favor of Greg Little and finished with only three targets. He has 23 catches for 223 yards through six weeks and can be safely dropped in PPR leagues.

Davone Bess caught two passes for 25 yards in Cleveland's Week 5 win over the Bills.

Bess posted the exact same line in Week 4. The slot machine can usually be counted on for 5-6 catches, but his "upside" is that of a WR4/5 in PPR leagues.

Davone Bess was held to 25 yards on two receptions in the Browns' Week 4 win over Cincinnati.

He's now on pace for 76 receptions, 708 yards, and no touchdowns through four games. On Sunday, Bess was targeted six times by Brian Hoyer. Off the radar in standard leagues, Bess is a WR4/5 in PPR formats. He'll be a low-upside fantasy option on Thursday night against the Bills.

Davone Bess caught seven passes for 67 yards in Sunday's Week 3 win over Minnesota.

Bess was mostly targeted on third downs and played the slot in all three-wide sets. He benefitted from Josh Gordon drawing heavy defensive attention in the second half and was featured in the short passing game, with his longest catch going for just 15 yards. Bess replaced Travis Benjamin at punt returner in second half and could continue to be used on special teams going forward.