Five remaining free agents the Cleveland Browns should rush to sign to plug their remaining roster holes for the 2020 season.
As states start to re-open with the COVID-19 pandemic still a threat, many are looking forward to the return of sports. That includes pro football, as the NFL Cleveland Browns are still slated to kick off their schedule on the road against the Ravens on Sept. 13.
The Browns and first-year general manager Andrew Berry have done a lot to bolster the roster heading into 2020, but there’s still some room for improvement.
You may expect to see Jadeveon Clowney on this free-agent wish list, but you won’t find his name. Unless his price drops, it just doesn’t seem like a fit.
The Browns have to be smart about how they manage their payroll in the coming years, as it’s expected the organization will have to pony up to keep its good players. Right? It’s not something Browns’ fans are used to experiencing.
That said, I just can’t see a big contract for Clowney, especially with Olivier Vernon coming off the books next season. There almost free of a contract they probably don’t want at defensive end, so why would they add another when the other is on the brink of expiring?
As for the future, well, a lot of mocks have the Browns taking a linebacker. I’ll believe it when I see it. The franchise so devalues the position I can’t imagine a linebacker being taken in the first round with Paul DePodesta dictating strategy.
Rather, a defensive end seems like a better fit next spring, but I digress.
Here’s five free agents the Browns should rush to sign as Cleveland organizes its roster ahead of unpredictable summer.
1. Nigel Bradham a fit for Cleveland Browns at LB
Nigel Bradham is viewed as a declining player, but he’d be a major add for the Browns, especially in the locker room.
Someone’s going to give him a shot in Training Camp, so why not the Browns? Signing him wouldn’t dramatically alter the salary cap and the Browns could use the veteran presence in the linebacker room.
Recent depth charts have the Browns deploying a scheme that Browns’ fans saw a lot last season, with two linebackers and three safeties. The starters listed are almost always Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki.
Wilson had his growing pains as a rookie, but the consensus option is that he kept his head above water and should improve in year two. However, if you factor in Takitaki, who played just 105 snaps on defense a season ago, well you can understand why there should be major concern.
At the very least, Bradham provides insurance to the weakest position group on the roster.
It’s worth noting that the Eagles, the team Andrew Berry worked for during the 2019 campaign, view the linebacker position in the same way. Philadelphia, like Cleveland, seem fine letting veterans go, banking on the young talent to stand up.
Elsewhere on the roster, the Browns signed B.J. Goodson from Green Bay and drafted Jacob Phillips out of LSU late in the third round.
The Browns doled out a handful of one-year contracts on defense this offseason, and Bradham may very well have to settle for that type of contract. If that’s the case, the Browns need to secure a player who has played on average, 86 percent of the team’s defensive snaps the last four years.
2. Jason Peters could make Cleveland Browns OL better
It seems less likely now, but the addition of Jason Peters could give the Browns five viable Pro Bowl candidates on the offensive line.
I don’t think this will happen after hearing Bill Callahan gush over 10th overall pick Jedrick Wills, but it’s something that shouldn’t be overlooked in fairness to the rookie.
The COVID-19 pandemic has left Wills without a true offseason plan, meaning there was no rookie camp, mini camp and there won’t likely be any OTAs, either.
He’s been working with the Browns virtually, but who knows what that really means? We all think he can make the switch from right tackle to left tackle, but if there’s a hiccup in Training Camp, it’s going to be “Uh-Oh” heard around greater Cleveland.
Signing the 38-year old veteran would afford Wills the luxury of breaking into the league at right guard. As previously mentioned, the Browns have given out a fair share of one-year deals this offseason.
If they could get Peters on a deal like this, why not make the move?
Next year, Wills can move to the blind side with a year under his belt, while Peters, who may not be elite, but it still pretty good, holds down the job for 2020.
3. Everson Griffin gives Cleveland Browns depth
If healthy, the Browns boast an elite pass rusher in Myles Garrett, and a very good quarterback hunter in Olivier Vernon.
After those names, the cupboard is bare, which is why Vikings’ free agent Everson Griffin makes since.
Despite being 32, Griffin tallied 8.0 sacks in his 10th and final season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. He wouldn’t be starting here, so he should be able to be a force filling in for Garrett or Vernon.
Elsewhere on the roster, Chad Thomas could also be a factor after putting together some nice moments. He recorded his first sack in Week 5 and ended the year with four quarterback takedowns.
Adrian Clayborn was signed as well. He fad four sacks last season.
Griffin would be the more productive player, even with his “advanced age.”
Griffin’s connection to the Browns is none other than new head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. As Stefanski put his game plans together, he got a first-hand look at Griffin during practice.
4. Another OL candidate in Larry Warford
If the Browns are all in on Wills at left tackle, then Andrew Berry could go a long way to upgrade the right guard position by signing Saints’ free agent Larry Warford.
Cleveland still has $38 million left in cap room, and it would probably take $8-$10 million to secure Warford, according to our own Chad Porto.
It seems anti-analytics to pay such a hefty sum to a right guard, but don’t forget that Berry was a part of the front office that made Kevin Zeitler the highest paid guard in the league back in 2017.
The Browns have said they will search for ways to improve the roster all offseason and into the season, so with that said, Warford should be on the table.
5. Eric Berry back in the NFL
Eric Berry sat out the entire 2019 season and hasn’t played more than two contests in a season since the 2016 campaign.
You thinking “Yikes,” I’m thinking, let’s have a look.
Berry made it known back in January that he intends to play in 2019, and if the Browns are truly looking at deploying the three safety look because of how weak the linebacking corps is, then it doesn’t hurt to bring him into camp.
There was reportedly league interest in Berry ahead of last season, but he chose to sit out to get fully healthy.
He’s just 31, and may have a season or two to help a team looking to get over a massive playoff drought.
If he’s healthy, the Browns could certainly use the experience in the defensive backfield. Karl Joseph projects as a starting strong safety, but Grant Delpit will certainly go through growing pains in center field.
Plus, he provides insurance incase of injuries. The Browns have veteran signee Andrew Sendejo,