Browns: 3 free agents starters to sign who won’t kill the cap

The Cleveland Browns could use a little help in free agency, and these three names could be just what the club needs going into 2021.

The Cleveland Browns need help at every position on defense. From ends, to tackles, to every linebacking spot, to both safeties and at corner. To pick just one position the Browns need significant or serious help at would be a fools errand. They need help everywhere.

The Browns could get help, however, in both the draft and free agency. Considering you can really only expect two or three players from an ordinary draft class to sign a second contract with the team that drafted them, you can’t just rely on draft picks. That’s where free agency comes into play.

Thankfully, teams just cut a bunch of players, most of whom where cut to make cap space. The Browns now have the opportunity to make some moves and acquire some players to fill gaps.

These are three players the Browns could sign to help the team, without killing their cap.

CB Malcolm Butler

The Titans cut Malcolm Butler, and despite being 31-years-old, is one of the better corners in the game still. His pairing with a guy like Denzel Ward would really help solidfy the team, and give the Browns leeway to draft a safety in the draft instead of a corner. Not only that, but if Greedy Williams can’t rebound, then the Browns will still have a guy worth starting. If he’s signed on a two-year deal, he’d be well worth the money. He shouldn’t demand the same contract he got from Tennessee this time around and may be able to get him on a discount of sorts.

LB Kyle Van Noy

Some will argue that Kyle Van Noy got cut for a reason, and he did. He was vastly over paid. Some will argue that Van Noy doesn’t fit the Browns defensive scheme, which is silly, as the Browns are all about versatility and Van Noy fits that to the letter. Van Noy brings a pass rushing ability the team is lacking outside of Myles Garrett, the size to play end on passing downs, and the speed to play linebacker the rest of the time. He’s a perfect fit for a team that didn’t blitz much in 2020. Van Noy will still make some money from the Dolphins after being cut, and sliding in as not just a starter but as a star of the team may help land Van Noy.

LB Kiko Alonzo

Kiko Alonzo has been pretty injury plagued as of late, and if he’s still a fraction of what he was as a player, he’ll be a step up over any linebacker the Browns currently have. He’s been injured a bit, and that means you can probably get him on a really cheap deal. If you can lock down Alonzo on a one-year, “show me” contract, then you can give the linebacking corps an instant upgrade; if he can stay healhty.