Browns: 5 free agents Cleveland must target in 2021 offseason

2. Tyus Bowser, OLB

The Ravens look to be the Browns’ big competition over the next few seasons as Ben Roethlisberger plays out his retirement tour.

What would be one way to close the gap on the Rat Birds? Stealing an outside linebacker would be a nice place to start.

Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser just had his best season in Baltimore since being drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft. He totaled 34 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 14 quarterback hits, in addition to picking off three passes (Browns fans will remember one of those).

A LB who can pressure the quarterback and be a nuisance in coverage? It’s the Browns biggest need and stealing him from Baltimore would make his acquisition all the sweeter.

I’ve been making the case for Zaven Collins to fix the linebacker position on draft day, but it remains to be seen how the front office will allocate resources to the position group. The big money and picks on the defensive side of the ball typically goes to pass rushers and corners.

Signing Bowser at the onset of free agent may give us an idea as to which direction Andrew Berry and company are leaning ahead of draft day.