The Cleveland Browns have 26 players about to enter free agency but are any of them worth bringing back for another season?
The Cleveland Browns have 26 free agents this year, and a desperate need to improve the defense. A defense that went from 7th against the pass in 2019, to 22nd against the pass in 2020. Clearly letting guys like Joe Schobert, Damarious Randall, and others affected this team.
So the Browns need to make space to improve the defense as a whole. They also need to clear cap space to be able to afford Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb, while keeping the salary cap flexible to make moves as needed beyond just this year or next. So not every one of the 26 free agents is coming back.
So let’s look at how we’re breaking this down. Each player will be placed in one of five categories. First is the “Should Not Return” category. Which is obvious. These are players who either didn’t do anything, were highly ineffective, or a problem to the team. These are the players you let go to help keep flexibility with roster spots. The second category is “Training Camp Invites”. The guys who played, but didn’t play well, who may be able to fill a roster spot only after a training camp competition. Then there’s the third category, the guys you re-sign outright if there’s no one else, called, “If No One Else…” These cats get a new deal only if free agency or the draft don’t net you with desirable replacements.
Then there’s the fourth category, the guys who did well enough to come back but may price themselves out of a deal; “Don’t Break the Bank” tier. Really solid players, but guys who you aren’t going to over-pay for.
Lastly, there’s simply “The Obvious Crew”.
Now talent isn’t the only determinating factor. The estimated price, their ability to fill a need (starter/backup/special teams player), and their impact on the team at large. All of that goes into consideration. So don’t get mad if a less talented player is on a more desirable list. It’s simply that he’s probably going to be more affordable and isn’t going to need to start.
Should Not Return
OLD Elijah Lee
One of two Detroit Lions on this list, Elijah Lee didn’t amount to much, despite having several opportunities to play. If it were any other position maybe you give him another chance but the linebackers were so bad that anyone who can’t take playing time away from any of them isn’t someone to stick with.
WR Marvin Hall
The other player snagged from Detroit, Marvin Hall was mostly brought in as a replacement for the Jets game after their four best players all were held out due to COVID-19 contact tracing concerns.
WR Taywan Taylor
Spent two years, and six games with the Browns and hasn’t made one catch.
G Colby Gossett
Having sat out the 2020 season due to COVID-19, Colby Gossett found not one, but two players who stepped up and made him expendable.
DE George Obinna
On IR and waved once already, George Obinna hasn’t proven to be worth a roster spot.
LB Tae Davis
A non-impact at a position that needed someone, anyone to step up.
S Tedric Thompson
Has already been waived from the team after being claimed off waivers. Like Davis, Tedrick Thompson did not make any noise at a position of need.
Training Camp Invites
SS Karl Joseph
Karl Joseph was a predictable disappointment. Signed on to replace Damarius Randall, the former Raider was so bad in Oakland (now Las Vegas) that the Raiders didn’t even give him his fifth-year extension. Clearly, a bad sign. He had 67 tackles, four pass deflections, and an interception during the regular season, but was a liability in the secondary, forcing fellow safety Andrew Sendejo to go all out to help cover up for Joseph’s mistakes. He might have something to offer the team but he’ll need to compete for it.
OLB Malcolm Smith
Having played well against the run, Malcolm Smith isn’t without his positive traits. Yet, he’s going into his age 32 season and plays a position that needs massive upgrades. He might be worth a backup spot in a new-look Browns defense but it’s not just going to be his for the taking.
WR JoJo Natson
I have a feeling the Browns receiver corps is going to get a makeover this year. If they do, there’s going to be a spot or two open. JoJo Natson knows the playbook and could compete for a spot on the main roster. Plus he can return kicks and punts too.
C Anthony Fabiano
In five years, Anthony Fabian has moved to a different NFL team 11 times. Three of those stints were with the Browns. The offensive line is pretty set, save for a few backup spots and what to do with Chris Hubbard’s contract. The Browns need to shave cap space to compensate for potentially less money available to them this offseason, while also keeping their ability to improve the defense by any means. That means some guys under contract might be cut or traded. Fabiano may just provide the versatility needed to be a backup for this team.
CB Brian Allen
Corners on this team need all the help they can get.
If no one else…
CB Kevin Johnson
Kevin Johnson was a huge disappointment for the Browns in 2020. Signed from Buffalo on a one-year deal, Johnson was expected to be the team’s nickel corner, but Greedy Williams’ nerve injury in his shoulder forced Johnson to do more than just that. His play was average at best and was not up to snuff in big situations. Luckily for him, the Browns cornerbacks were so bad, he wasn’t the only one who garnered ire from the fans.
CB Terrance Mitchell
A poor signing by John Dorsey, Terrance Mitchell was every team’s favorite starter to pick on. He could be a decent nickel or dime corner but if the Browns need to rely on him as a starter in 2021, they’re going to continue to be one of the worst teams against the pass in the league.
K Cody Parkey
The Browns have yet to find a long-term replacement for Phil Dawson and Cody Parkey isn’t it. He might, however, get to have a third season in Cleveland if no one else is out there. Hopefully, Dawson un-retires and comes home.
DT Vincent Taylor
Played in 15 games, but only had 12 tackles, Vincent Taylor isn’t a playmaker but the landscape for defensive tackles isn’t really known right now so it might just be best to sign a cheap, one-year deal with a player who knows the team.
Don’t break the bank
WR Khadarel Hodge
Khadarel Hodge played fine. He wasn’t a big part of the offense and he certainly didn’t make enough noise to make any changes to get him more reps. Donovan Peoples-Jones is probably the third wideout at the moment, with Odell Beckham hurt. Yet, Hodge knows the offense and he has a history with the team that isn’t nothing. If the deal is right, yeah, bring him back.
WR Rashard Higgins
In an ideal world, yes, Rashard Higgins is back as the third-receiver next year (or second if the team trades Beckham), but what is he going to cost? He’s not irreplaceable. He’s a fine receiver, and his rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield is valuable, but to what end? He signed a $2.01 million deal in 2019 and a $900k deal in 2020. If you split the difference for a year, or go to $2 million for two years, perfect. Anything more than $2.5 mil for what equates to an average receiver isn’t wise.
MLB B.J. Goodson
B.J. Goodson is fine, just not a starter. If Goodson comes back as a backup or special teamer on a one-year deal, perfect. Otherwise don’t bother. He never should’ve been a starter.
TE Stephen Carlson
The Princeton alum is clearly a favorite of the coaching staff. Otherwise, why carry four tight ends? The Browns rarely ran any three tight end sets all year, and with Andy Janovich on the team, it’s not like he couldn’t have filled in if needed. So Stephen Carlson really had some fans on the coaching staff. If he isn’t demanding too much, he could easily be back.
DE/LB Olivier Vernon
Let’s be clear, at $11 million he’s a joke of an idea. At $4 million? Let’s talk. He’s good for 40 tackles and six sacks a year, and he’s versatile enough to play defensive end or outside linebacker, but he’d need to take far less money to come back in 2021. He’s certainly not washed up but there are better deals to be had.
The obvious crew
DE Porter Gustin
Porter Gustin wasn’t a huge impact as a pass rusher but he’s only 23 (turning 24) and he’s really strong against the run. Not just that but his length makes him a threat on the line of scrimmage that really isn’t seen on this team. His pick on the Steelers in the playoffs shows he can be a useful tool, but like most people, the price will dictate that.
OL Michael Dunn
We loved Michael Dunn in the preseason and when he came and played lights out against the Steelers in the playoffs, the world saw why. Dunn is exactly who the team needs behind Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio. Make it happen.
OT Kendall Lamm
For a while, it was hard to be sure about Kendall Lamm but he filled in for injured players later into the year and played well, especially against the Chiefs. The Browns need to make sure their line mostly comes back intact, and that includes the backups. Especially with Chris Hubbard going into the last year of his deal, a deal that may not even finish with the Browns.
SS Andrew Sendejo
Some will be perplexed by this, but if Andrew Sendejo wants to come back the Browns should welcome it. Ideally, he’s the walk up safety in nickel packages just in case the other team runs, as he’s a sure tackler, but he was the lone constant in the secondary for the entire year. The corners in front of him did no favors and his fellow safeties were either hurt, slow or bad at their jobs. Sendejo brings a veteran hand to a secondary that’s going to need it, even if only as a backup.
DT Larry Ogunjobi
Larry Ogunjobi is who he is. He’s been consistent across four seasons and while some will point to that being a problem, to me that’s something I can work with. Sheldon Richardson probably shouldn’t be back, not at his number, and the Browns will want some consistency. Ogunjbo is a fine second tackle or even a better third tackle in a rotation. The odds that the Browns find someone significantly better than Ogunjobi for a good price is low. If you gotta pick one current starter at tackle, pick Ogunjobi and move on from Richardson.