5 free agents the Cleveland Browns need to consider signing now
By Chad Porto
LB Dont’a Hightower
The Cleveland Browns already traded for Deion Jones to eventually replace Anthony Walker but Jones has been declining as a player the last two years and he may not be an improvement over Jacob Phillips or Tony Fields. The Browns need to go for broke with fixing all of their issues. Jones, as is, is nothing more than a half-measure.
Even if Jones plays well, Takitaki has struggled, as have Fields and Phillips. Phillips is especially has been an issue for the Browns, and frankly shouldn’t be on the team. Hightower may not be a starter, but he’s someone who can be a third or fourth linebacker for the team still. He can add some strength and size in the middle against the run game. He’s 30lbs heavier than anyone on the team and his size should make some difference.
With how bad the Browns have been against the run, you’re just looking for somebody to provide something different than what the team has been putting out there. So getting a burly linebacker who can throw his weight around, while a rudimentary and maybe outdated idea in a more speed-focused game, is at least a different idea than anything the Browns are doing currently.