3 Buccaneers the Cleveland Browns should look at in free agency
By Chad Porto
DE William Gholston – 2021 PFF 61.2
The ideal option for the Browns would be to bring back Jadeveon Clowney on a short, incentive ladened contract. Clowney has not committed to that for the Browns as of yet. Considering how long it took him to sign on the first time around, it’s very likely that this season is filled with the same type of drama.
So the Browns need to think about long-term options to replace Clowney. They didn’t want to trade up to get Jaelan Phillips (8.5 sacks as a rookie), and couldn’t lock down J.J. Watt, who despite not having great numbers was a huge part of the Arizona Cardinals run. So they went with Clowney and now they may have to find a new starter at that position once again.
Enter William Gholston. Gholston isn’t a great pass-rusher but did stick around in Tampa Bay for nine seasons mostly due to his impact on the running game. That’s what Clowney was most effective at in Cleveland only to a much higher degree than Gholston. Gholston isn’t a point-for-point replacement for Clowney but he’s the best option of this Buccaneers team.
If Gholston does hit free agency and the Browns can’t bring back Clowney, Gholston is a solid option at the right price to hold them over until a long-term option can be found.