Cleveland Browns: 5 major potential free agents to bolster the squad
By Chad Porto
Brandon Scherff (OG)
Oh boy, we need help on the line. The biggest need on the offensive line is arguably tackle, but the Browns need help at guard too. To fill that hole, one of the better free agent guards is Brandon Scheff, who was the best interior lineman for the Washington Redskins. As a team, they rushed for an average of 4.4 yards a carry, while helping 183-year-old Adrian Peterson rush for 898 yards on a team that didn’t have any real help from the passing game.
When you have a 274-year-old running back who uses a walker to get to the line of scrimmage and beyond, while the defense stacking nine guys in the box, a lot of that credit falls on the offensive line. The offensive line and U-Step Walkers.
Scherff would come in and plug a big hole at the right guard slot, and if things really fall apart and Joel Bitonio gets shifted back to tackle, could fill in at the left guard spot as well. Scherff was a wrecking ball on the line, so whether he plays left or right on the line he’s got the strength and ability to do the job.
The only question will be what he can do in the passing game. The Redskins gave up 50 sacks last year. Easily one of the worst in the NFL (Browns gave up 41). The line isn’t a single player entity, it’s an ecosystem of moving parts. It’s not always easy to say who was the guy at fault for the sack or even if there is someone at fault. If they send six, and you only have five to block, someone’s getting sacked. Unless Joe Thomas is on your line.
So can Scherff add something to the passing protection in Cleveland? If not, then don’t waste the money on him. There are enough other holes that the team needs that money for and unless Scherff is coming in way-cheaper than expected, there’s no reason to even consider it. If he can improve the passing protection as well then sign him.