Cleveland Browns: 5 free agents the Browns must target

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 25: Nigel Bradham #53 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts in front of Jared Cook #87 of the Oakland Raiders after the Philadelphia Eagles recovered a fumble in the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 25, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Raiders 19-10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Nigel Bradham, OLB, Eagles

The Browns’ linebacking corps has some pieces to feel good about, but there are plenty of questions, too.

Joe Schobert stepped up at middle linebacker, recording 144 tackles in his second season. This is great news for Schobert, but the jury is still out on the question as to whether Schobert can be an impact player in addition to a just a guy who records a lot of tackles.

Nigel Bradham has baggage, but he plays mean and is seasoned, having called the Eagles plays on defense this season after an injury to Jordan Hicks.

Bradham is darn close to elite when it comes to stopping the pass, while stopping the run isn’t his forte, according to PFF.

The Browns did improve at stopping the run this season, but their red zone defense was deplorable. The team was 25th in the NFL, allowing 1.8 passing touchdowns per game. Cleveland needs help in the secondary, as already outlined, but a player like Bradham can help limit opponents passing games, especially when helping cover other teams’ tight ends.

A relatively weak class of linebackers is set to hit the market, and the Eagles will almost assuredly try to keep Bradham, who is 28.

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