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February 2020
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Cleveland Browns Free Agency 20193/6/2019 Going into the 2019 season the Browns will be a very solid team but will still have some positions to address. Two of their biggest targets in free agency in Grady Jarrett and Frank Clark were franchise tagged by their teams. This would’ve made the GM’s, John Dorsey’s, job a lot easier if he had the chance to sign one of those two to a contract. Since neither are available to the Browns now, the team has to try to address six possible positions in free agency and the draft. These positions include; offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive tackle, defensive end, outside linebacker, and cornerback. In their adventure to find their new franchise left tackle the Browns could use depth especially if Greg Robinson doesn’t produce like he did in 2018. The Browns are looking for their go to wide receiver as Jarvis Landry was no capable of becoming a number one target. The Browns need help at defensive tackle the most as their only good player at that position was Larry Ogunjobi. The Browns ranked 28th in the league with 135 rushing yards allowed per game.*** With Jarrett off the market, I expect the Browns to try to address this position through the draft. Signing a player though could add good depth in case of injuries. Next, a defensive end opposite of Myles Garrett would help with the Browns’ quarterback pressure. Emmanuel Ogbah has been underwhelming so the Browns need to find someone who can create havoc on the other side. The Browns started last season with one of the strongest linebacker cores but with injuries to Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert the linebacker core was understaffed at times. In addition, there is a high chance that the Browns cut Jamie Collins to save over 10 million dollars. Finding one or two linebackers in free agency or the draft would help the Browns secure their leaders of the defense. Lastly, adding one more cornerback on the opposite side of Denzel Ward could give the Browns a lockdown secondary. The Browns cornerback unit was also another position last season riddle by injuries so adding one more above average player could go miles. Listed below are possible free agents that the Browns could sign at each position:
Defense DT 1. Sheldon Richardson- (28) Richardson would be in immediate help in the middle. He totalled 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks last year.* Richardson has already been on three different teams in his young career but could be a cornerstone of the browns defense for the next couple years. He would help plug the middle of the line with Larry Ogunjobi and provide a decent pass rush too. 2. Ndamukong Suh- (32) A veteran presence who has never missed game to injury. Suh would bring immediate experience and a gritty mentally to the browns defense. He had 59 tackles and 4.5 sacks last year.* Even though he's had personality issues in the past and a small decline in play he would still be a major upgrade over what the browns have in stock now. Suh is on the older side though and this could scare John Dorsey from signing him to a contract for more than two to three years long. 3. Darius Philon- (25) Philon is a lesser experienced option that the browns could go with. He is still young and would be cheaper than the other two potential tackles. Philon registered 33 tackles and 4.0 sacks got the Chargers defense in 13 games started last season.* He would be a good option to sign if the Browns decided early on to go with a defensive tackle with the 17th pick in the draft. OLB 1. Anthony Barr- (26) At such a young age Barr is already a 4 time probably bowler.* According to Pro Football Reference Last year in 13 games he totaled 55 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 3 sacks.* Somewhat injury prone, Barr has only played a full season 2 out of his 5 seasons in the NFL. Barr is capable of rushing the quarterback very well, making him a very versatile player. Adding Barr to the Browns roster would help in adding depth with a very good player. It would also add to their rush attack which could become very dangerous. 2. KJ Wright- (29) Wright was limited to only 5 games due to injury last year.* KJ is a seasoned veteran though, with one pro bowl appearance, and a Super Bowl ring. In 2017 he racked up 108 tackles and 1 interceptions.* He is definitely a player the Browns could use with his knowledge and experience of the game. Wright is on the older side and could be hindered by injuries in the future but with depth a the position the Browns could keep him fresh. As a true tackler he could immediately help as other players on the team had tackling issues. Wright is a natural player and someone the Browns should seriously consider signing. DE 1. Trey Flowers- (25) Flowers was a force this past season as he was excellent in rushing the opposing quarterback. He registered 57 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.* According to Pro Football Focus, he accounted for 84 pressures which was second in the league. Also PFF calculated his run stop percentage at 10.5 which would certainly help the Browns.** Flowers will be one of the most expensive players in free agency this offseason but would solve the problem on the opposite side of Myles Garrett. He would give the Browns a lethal pass rush that would suffocate opposing quarterbacks and would be worth the paycheck. 2. Za’Darius Smith- (26) Smith is another young edge rusher who would help the Browns. He is versatile as he is listed as a defensive end and outside linebacker so the Browns new defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks, would be able to move him around. Last season Smith recorded 45 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.* Smith is another edge rusher that would help solve the Browns pass rush problem, but that would come at a high price. 3. Preston Smith- (26) In his fourth year with the Redskins Smith had somewhat of a down year with his pass rushing. Smith has been inconsistent in his career as he had respectively 4 sacks, 8 sacks, 4 sacks, and 8 sacks in his four seasons.* In addition to his four sacks last season Smith had 53 tackles. Playing at his best Smith can be a dominant force at the line. Playing in a new system with Myles Garrett at his side could certainly help Smith. He would be a smart signing if they Browns could pencil to him a one or two year deal for a smaller amount of money. 4. Shaquill Barrett- (26) Barrett is another young player who hasn't really gotten his time to shine in Denver. He's been held back on the chart by Von Miller, Shane Ray, and others so the league has not been able to see his true potential. When given playing time Barrett has produced average numbers. Last year he registered 28 tackles and 3 sacks.* In 2017 Barrett had a career year with 36 tackles 4 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.* Barrett could be seen as a low risk-high reward type of player. He is looking for a place to start in the NFL and his hunger to prove himself could lead to a breakout year. CB 1. Steven Nelson- (26) Nelson is coming off a career year for the Chiefs while also starting and playing in 16 games for the first time in his career.* Last season he recorded 68 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 15 passed deflected.* These were strong numbers on a Chiefs defense that struggled throughout the year. Signing Nelson to a three or four year deal would give the Browns a very strong secondary with great depth too. Cornerback is a place the Browns need to upgrade and starting with Nelson would be a great idea. 2. Kareem Jackson- (30) Jackson is an older free agent but someone that could bring experience to the cornerback unit. The Browns have a very young secondary and Jackson could possibly come in and become a leader. Last season he recorded 87 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 17 passes deflected.* Bringing Jackson in would be adding another lockdown corner to the unit. Opposite of Denzel Ward the secondary would be very stingy. 3. Pierre Desir- (28) Bringing back Pierre Desir too the Browns could be a good idea for the future. He had a breakout year last season for the Colts as he was a main piece of their secondary. He registered 79 tackles, 1 interception, and had 8 passes deflected. Bringing back Desir would be a good idea to add more depth to the unit. He is not the elite corner the Browns are looking for but would definitely help with coverage. 4. Ronald Darby- (25) A young player like Ronald Darby could help the Browns now and in the future. After two solid seasons with the Eagles, Darby is looking for a new place to play. In 9 games last season Darby registered, 43 tackles, 1 interception, and 12 pass deflections.* Darby would bring playoff experience to the team. Just two years removed from winning a Super Bowl, he has performed on the biggest stages so far. Having a young corner with this type of experience would be great for a Browns team with no playoff experience and would add another solid cornerback to the unit. Offense WR 1. Tyrell Williams- (27) Williams has spent his first four seasons with the Chargers and is an asset at wide receiver with his 6’4” stature.* Tyrell is a dangerous deep ball threat and also a wide receiver who can go up and get the ball. Last season he recorded 41 receptions, 653 yards, and 5 touchdowns.* The Browns are looking for a receiver who they can depend on. Even though Williams most likely would not be that guy he would provide a taller target who can spread the field vertically. 2. Adam Humphries- (26) Humphries had a breakout year this past seasons for Tampa Bay. In his fourth season for the Buccaneers he registered 76 receptions, 816 yards, and 5 touchdowns.* This was while sharing a wide receiver unit with star wideout Mike Evans. Humphries would provide more help in the slot for the Browns. Even though the Browns don’t need much more help in the slot, Humphries would provide a reliable target on every down. 3. John Brown- (28) Brown is a fast, deep-threat, receiver that could be used very well in the Browns offense. This was seen last season with Breshad Perriman and Antonio Calloway. Baker Mayfield thrives with the deep ball and Brown would defenses another receiver to worry about especially if Perriman sign elsewhere in free agency. Last season with the Ravens, Brown recorded 42 receptions, 715 yards, and 5 touchdowns.* A deep threat is not a significant need for the Browns but would definitely make the potent offense a lot more deadly. OT 1. Trent Brown- (25) Brown protected Tom Brady’s blind side as the Patriots won the Super Bowl this past season. As good as Brown is this is one of the players that I am the most skeptical. Brown had trouble jetting his career to alleged work ethic problems. We have also seen what has happened with left tackles signed away from the Patriots. Nate Solder who was solid every year with the Patriots had a down year with the Giants this past season. The Giants gave him 62 million over 4 years and are probably not to happy about it now.* Brown has the potential to be great but is someone to be careful of. If his play translates outside of New England the Browns could find the future franchise left tackle to protect Baker Mayfield. 2. Daryl Williams- (26) Williams missed all of last season after an MCL surgery. The year before that he was a second team all pro for the Panthers.* Williams will come at a higher price since he was a second team all pro only two seasons ago. This would help solidify the browns line depth wise and create a competition between himself and Greg Robinson for the starting left tackle. Thanks for reading and comment below who you would like to see in a Browns uniform next season. Contributed By: John Achkar *The Statistics used are owned by Pro Football Reference. All credit to PFR **The Statistics used by Pro Football Focus are owned by Pro Football Focus. All credit to PFF ***The Statistics used by ESPN are owned by ESPN. All credit to ESPN. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ https://www.profootballfocus.com/ http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total/sort/rushingYardsPerGame/position/defense
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