Browns: What a perfect free agency would look like

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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 01: Carl Lawson #58 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts to a play in the first half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Aller /Getty Images) /

Sign Carl Lawson

Length: 1 & 1
Salary: $4 million for first, $6 million if option picked up

Carl Lawson isn’t a great addition if you’re looking at duplicating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line. He’s good, but not great. So you offer him a contract that makes him earn his pay. He’ll be 26 during the season, and a two-year deal allows him to chase down a bigger contract at just 28 years old; fairly young still for a defensive end.

If Lawson comes in, blows the doors off the place, and leaves after his second year for more money; so be it. If he comes in, tanks in year-one, then you can choose not to pick up his second-year option and let him walk. It’s a great contract for the Browns, but one that could be a problem if someone over-values Lawson.

Lawson is the defensive end version of Andrew Billings. A fine piece, but not the prize.

Cap Space Left: $30 million

Roster Size: 45 (60 with practice squad players)

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