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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4 Nov 2001: Jamir Miller #95 linebacker for the Cleveland Browns awaits a Chicago Bears offensive play in their game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won in overtime 27-21. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport
4 Nov 2001: Jamir Miller #95 linebacker for the Cleveland Browns awaits a Chicago Bears offensive play in their game at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears won in overtime 27-21. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport /

OLB Jamir Miller

When it comes to free agents that changed the game for the Cleveland Browns, Jamir Miller may not be the best example, but he was the first. Originally the 10th overall pick to the Arizona Cardinals in 1994, Miller spent five seasons in Phoenix struggling to succeed as a pass-rusher. He would finally start to shine through in 1997, when he posted his second straight 90+ tackle season, and finally hit 5.5 sacks on the year.

He struggled to stay healthy and get action prior to the 1996 season and by 1998, he was looking like the player he was drafted to be. He would end his Cardinals tenure after the ’98 season by leading the team in tackles (113) and would spark an exodus that would see fellow stars on the defensive side like Aeneas Williams and Simeon Rice leave Arizona over the coming seasons.

Miller would arrive in Cleveland and become an instant impact player on a defense in need of them. In three seasons he racked up 304 tackles, and 22.5 sacks, nine more than he had in all five combined seasons with the Cardinals.

He was given a stacked defense in 2002 to succeed with, with Earl Holmes arriving to secure the middle, Dwayne Rudd opposite him, and a solid interior duo of Gerard Warren and another member of this list.

Sadly a torn Achilles in the 2002 preseason would end Miller’s career, leaving many to wonder what the Browns would’ve looked like with Miller leading the way.