6 of the best free agents signed by the Cleveland Browns since 1999

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 9: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns and Head Coach Butch Davis walk the sideline during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs November 9, 2003 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 41-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 9: Quarterback Kelly Holcomb #10 of the Cleveland Browns and Head Coach Butch Davis walk the sideline during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs November 9, 2003 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 41-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Dec. 2, 2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson (3) reacts after what he thought was a game tying touchdown was ruled out of bounds at the end of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona defeated Cleveland 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec. 2, 2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson (3) reacts after what he thought was a game tying touchdown was ruled out of bounds at the end of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Arizona defeated Cleveland 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

QB Derek Anderson

The Cleveland Browns signed Derek Anderson after the Baltimore Ravenswaved him in 2005 in 2006 he started three games for the Browns. He would see time behind Charlie Frye, who quickly became a guy who was no longer in the team’s long-term plans. We know this, as the Browns drafted Brady Quinn in 2007 to be “the guy”.

Anderson would come in during the 2007 campaign and replace the incumbent starter Frye, and lead the team to a 10-win season. Anderson threw for 29 touchdowns, and nearly 3,800 yards with the Browns that year. He became a highlight reel for his deep passes and utilized Braylen Edwards and Kellen Winslow as well as anyone ever had.

The problem came from the fact that Anderson wasn’t very accurate, and would often try to gun-sling his way down the field, instead of taking what the defenses gave him. He had the perfect skill set to thrive in the Browns system in 2007 but he wasn’t a great talent on his own.

He makes the list, however, as he’s the only quarterback to ever make the Pro Bowl since the team returned in 1999. Though one could argue that Jacoby Brissett arguably deserved that spot in 2022, as then Raven’s quarterback Tyler Huntley made it an injury replacement.