Cleveland Browns: Top 10 remaining NFL free agents and if they fit
By Chad Porto
No. 4 – Everson Griffen (DE)
Every Browns fan wants Everson Griffen it seems. He’s everyone’s safety-school pick, and the Browns had an interest at one point, allegedly, but that’s unclear if there is still some there. Griffen has apparently narrowed his choices down, and the Green Bay Packers appear to be one of the teams very interested in the former Minnesota Viking defensive end.
Griffen, a four-time Pro Bowler, would be the perfect compliment to Jadeveon Clowney and would give the Browns a great run-stuffer as well from the end position. Yet, for whatever reason, the Browns have been more focused on another player on this list that isn’t Griffen.
Griffen had a natural tie to Kevin Stefanski, as Griffen played his entire career with Stefanski as a coach in some form or facet. Yet the number of ex-Viking players to go to Cleveland isn’t that deep. Andrew Sendejo was one and QB-turned-FB Johnny Stanton was another but that’s largely been it as of right now. Arguably more coaches and front office staff came over than talent.
So would Griffen be a guy that the Browns could use? Absolutely. For the right price. It’s unclear if the Browns have gotten that far with Griffen, where they offered him a contract, or if their talks (if they had any) were only just superficial. Griffen is an obvious upgrade for the foreseeable future and his addition would allow the Browns to play Olivier Vernon in a more roamer-like role.
That said his addition to the team seems highly suspect, considering the Browns spent five months chasing Jadeveon Clowney and are now more likely to try and trade for Yannick Ngakoue than sign Griffen.
Does he fit?
He does but the Browns don’t seem to agree.