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Grading all of Cleveland Browns signings through the first 2 days of the free agent period

By Chad Porto

Oct 31, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) celebrates with center Ethan Pocic (55) after throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) celebrates with center Ethan Pocic (55) after throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Obo Okoronkwo (45) walks to the locker room following a 26-17 victory against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Obo Okoronkwo (45) walks to the locker room following a 26-17 victory against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Obo Okoronkwo

The Cleveland Browns signed defensive end Obo Okoronkwo from the Houston Texans to a 3-year deal, worth around $18 million with incentives. Ooronkwo’s contract may haunt the Browns for some time, as the team has given him several void years, meaning that they’ll likely be on the hook for a portion of his guaranteed money well past his time with the Browns.

A typical Andrew Berry move. And a major reason why many, even those on 92.3 who usually praise Berry, believe the Browns won’t be to compete in two years due to the mounting costs of his decisions.

Is Okoronkwo a guy that makes sense for the Browns? Well, since entering the league, Okoronkwo has been a middling player for a Rams team that never really needed him. He was mostly a backup during his tenure in Los Angeles, and never started a game. In Houston, he doubled his playing time and showed a decent ability to get after the quarterback. But he also proved he was not a great run-stopper.

The Browns need a defensive end who can play the run as well as the pass. Maybe the Browns aren’t done adding to the defensive line, but even if they aren’t, we can only grade players based on their perceived fits when they were signed and Okoronkwo isn’t a great run-stopper. The Browns were a bottom-10 team against the run last year, and the arrival of Okoronkwo isn’t giving me much hope that those stats will improve.

People keep thinking Okoronkwo will “break out” sooner rather than later but he’s turning 28 and heading to his third team in three seasons. He may not be the player fans or management hopes he is. I’m open to being wrong, but this seems like a lot of money for production that any third-rounder could provide.

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Grade: C

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