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The Steelers wisely put a waiver claim in for CB Iko Ekpre-Olumu, but he was awarded to Miami

The Pittsburgh Steelers tried to get CB Iko Ekpre-Olumu off waivers, but he was eventually awarded to the Miami Dolphins.

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

When the Cleveland Browns decided to clean house in their secondary, they released CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and SS Donte Whitner. Although Ekpre-Olomu (IEO) was still coming off a knee injury suffered in his final year at Oregon, there was interest around the NFL.

One of those teams, and rightfully so, was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Steelers put in a waiver claim for the young defensive back, he was awarded to the Miami Dolphins for the 2016 season.

The move made sense for the Steelers, and them putting a claim in on IEO at least shows the team is trying to address the secondary. While many fans were hesitant about his knee injury, he reportedly was being re-evaluated sometime this week before possibly going on the open market.

The Dolphins will now pick up his 7th round rookie contract, which is a very low risk move. If IEO can play, you got yourself a top-rated cornerback before his injury, and if he proves to be a step too slow, releasing him wouldn't put you in financial dire straits.

The Steelers and Dolphins weren't the only teams interested in IEO, the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills also reportedly put in a waiver claim for his services.