What free agents in the Top 30 should the Cleveland Browns consider?
By Chad Porto
The Cleveland Browns should take a look at these Top 30 players
For this list, we’re looking at players who the Cleveland Browns should sign who are in the Top 30 of NFL.com’s Top 101 players list. We’re going to be looking at three levels worth of free agents. The obvious Pro Bowlers (No. 30-No.1), the obvious starters (No.75-No.31), and the guys who can provide a boost as a rotational fit (No. 76-No. 101).
For each level, we’re going to be looking at three players, but with each change in level, the number of expected signings will increase. For this level, the top tier of the remaining free agents, we would advise only one to be signed. For the next list, we’d advocate for signing two of the three named, while the final list is a recommendation for all three to be signed.
So with that, let’s look at some talent to get that would make an impact on the team.
11. LB Bobby Wagner
The Cleveland Browns would do wonders for their defense if they were able to get Bobby Wagner on a short-term, good-value contract. He’ll make some money from the Rams still, so he may not be dead set on getting the best contract available. Winning may be a more important factor for Wagner and if that’s the case, the Browns are the best fit for him.
The team has a need for a player of Wagner’s quality, and he’s still one of the best forces against the run that the league has. He’d be the perfect fit for a linebacking corp that would feature the all-around excellence of Sione Takitaki and the coverage skills of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
He’s up there in age, yes, and he may start to decline, but even Wagner at 75% of what he was in 2022 is still better than most of what they can get on the market. Plus he’s so much more of a known commodity that you wouldn’t have to draft a linebacker this year if you bring in Wagner.
He should be the big get for the Browns this offseason. Plus, with the expectation of a not-too-far-off rebuild, Wagner wouldn’t be a player you need to worry about long-term. He’d be a one-year rental.