4 ways free agency impacts the Browns in 2021
The legal tampering period of free agency came with all the big names flying off the market and the Browns were aggressive, signing safety John Johnson away from the Rams.
Here’s four ways free agency impacts Cleveland moving forward, including an important note on current safety Ronnie Harrison.
1. Browns signed a win now player
John Johnson is a player who makes the Browns significantly better in 2021. Consider the upgrade. Andrew Sendejo started 15 games after being signed to backup Grant Delpit. Now, the Browns are going to place Sendjo with Johnson, who Pro Football Focus graded out with a mark of 85.3. Anything over 85 is deemed Pro Bowl worthy. PFF’s Mike Renner called the signing of Johnson his favorite move the day.
Johnson can cover downfield, and he matches up well against tight ends. In his four year career, quarterbacks have targeted him 65 times when covering a tight end. Johnson’s given up 34 catches (52 percent) on those throws. Seven of those catches went for touchdowns, but he’s also picked seven passes while breaking up an addition 16, according to Pro Football Focus.
Media reports indicate defensive coordinator would like to better deploy a scheme feating two linebackers and three safeties. Injuries prohibited the long-time coach from putting his best product on the field last year. That obviously changes with the addition of Johnson, to play with Delpit and Ronnie Harrison.
Johnson was drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft (91st overall). The 25-year old will officially sign a three-year deal worth $33.75 million ($24 million guaranteed) on Wednesday, when teams can official dole out new contracts.
Johnson was estimated to earn an average annual salary of $8.33 million per season. The Browns exceeded that over by 26 percent.
Free agency was made to overpay for players, but at least in this case, the Browns added a significant pice to a puzzle that will ultimately show us the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
2. Browns save in long run, no DEs
No, the Browns didn’t sign a defensive end in free agency, and that may be a win in the long run.
1. Carl Lawson was the name most being associated with the Browns heading into free agency. He signed a three-year, $45 million with the Jets.
The Bengals decided to pass on keeping their homegrown talent and looked desperate in doing so. to make up for losing Lawson, Cincinnati gave Trey Hendrickson a four-year, $60 million deal.
Hendrickson had the sack numbers last season (14.5) compared to Lawson’s 5.5. That said, Lawson was second in the NFL with 32 quarterback hits. Why not just sign the guy you’ve invested four years in?
2. Did anyone shed a tear seeing Bud Dupree sign a contract that will pay him $16.5 million annually with the Titans? He’s coming off a major injury and he just seemed like an awkward fit with the Browns playing four down linemen. In total, the deal pays five years, $85 million.
3. Yannick Ngakoue was a player Browns’ fans were hot on last offseason. Olivier Vernon ended up being a better player than Ngakoue and his play reflected the two-year, $26 million contract he signed with the Raiders.
Good rule of thumb: Don’t let good pass rushers go. As evidenced by the Raiders signing Ngakoue, they’re still trying to fill the void created when they dealt Khalil Mack.
Additionally, pass rushers at their best don’t hit free agency: See Myles Garrett.
3. Browns draft impact
The Browns could always make some smaller moves in free agency, but as of now, the team’s emphasis is likely to be on defensive end.
In the last batch of mock drafts, safety had been target of prognosticators, with TCU’s Trevon Moehrig mocked more than a few times to Cleveland.
The Browns could still go with a corner, but the hole at defensive end can’t be ignored. Now, who will be available when Cleveland goes on the clock will be another question.
Had Cleveland signed defensive end, the possibility of selecting Tulsa linebacker seemed more likely. Now, with no clear-cut choice to start opposite of Myles Garrett, Berry has to do something.
The Browns recently parted ways with Adrian Clayborn, but still have Porter Gustin, who’s best suited as a rotational piece. Curtis Weaver, who was a sack machine at Boise State, should get a look in training camp after sitting out last season with injury. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Dolphins and scooped up by Cleveland after Miami let him go.
4. No extension for Harrison now
Ronnie Harrison has quickly become a fan favorite of Browns fans, but The Athletic’s Zac Jackson doesn’t see an extension in his future following Cleveland’s deal with Johnson.
“This move almost assures that the Browns won’t extend Harrison…,” Jackson wrote.
The Browns had around $25 million cap space entering free agency, so they made a significant dent in their bank account by signing Johnson.
Harrison is in the final year of his rookie contract, and he’s one of several players who will be coming due for an extension very soon.
For what it’s worth, Sheldrick Redwine has two years left on his rookie year deal, and like Harrison, is better at playing up in the box.
With Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward soon due extension, in addition to Nick Chubb due to hit free agency next March, you’ve got to wonder how many dollars Paul DePodesta and company will allocate to the position.