Browns: 3 affordable free agents Cleveland must target
3. Mike Hilton, CB
If you’re going to steal a player from the Ravens, why not hi-jack a corner from the Steelers.
Granted, Hilton posted his lowest coverage grade of the season against the Browns in the Wild Card round, he fulfills a need for the Browns at the nickel corner spot.
PFF contends this hurts Hilton in contract talks because slot corners don’t deserve the credit they deserve. With the NFL billed as a passing league more than ever, though, nickel corners do have incredible value when you really think about it.
And while Hilton wasn’t his best last season, he has a track record and is only 27 years old.
The veteran posted coverage grades (PFF) of at lest 72.0 for three straight seasons. For what it’s worth, he can also play some safety, as he did for the Steelers a lot in 2019.
On paper, the Browns can start Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams back to start on the perimeter next season, but Kevin Johnson and Terrance Mitchell are free agency.
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The organization has to be cautious about how it throws around money until they extend Baker Mayfield, and Hilton fits the bill.