Rumor: Terrance Knighton Interests the Browns
The Cleveland Browns have a ton of cap space and some very specific needs. Terrance Knighton will be a free agent that will both demand big money and fill one of the Browns specific needs; big nose tackle. According to the Orange and Brown Report, the Browns have interest in the big defensive lineman:
"As this column noted nearly a week ago, the Browns like the toughness of FA Terrance Knighton and continue to have him rated highly as a player of interest. The Browns believe, as do many other teams that Knighton will align himself with his former DC in Oakland early in the free agency signing period. Despite the belief, the Browns will gauge interest."
As OBR states, Knighton seems set to head to Oakland but HC Mike Pettine’s reputation, and more importantly GM Ray Farmer‘s use of Jimmy Haslam’s checkbook, could change that.
OBR does a great job of reporting what they are hearing. They are a great Browns site with actual sources.
It doesn’t mean that Knighton will even visit the Browns but they will make a pitch for his services. Likely the Browns had some back channel conversations with Knighton’s agent at the NFL Combine. They likely have an idea of what it might take to sign him and also know whether they have a chance. Based on OBR reporting, I would assume that they don’t believe they are out of the action but have a plan in place of how high they might be willing to go.
(Some may be wondering how we are so confident that the back channel conversations happened. First, at the NFL Combine we saw a number of those conversations “unofficially” happen. Second, every year we have a good idea where players are going before they are even allowed to talk. Most are pretty confident that the Miami Dolphins are signing Suh because of this.)
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
So, while Knighton might be a tough get, the Browns are interested in getting him this year in free agency. The good news is two fold: 1) The team sees a similar need that we see and 2) They are going to spend money, with limitations according to Haslam.
Knighton is joined in free agency by a number of players that could play the nose for the Browns including Dan Williams and Stephen Paea. The NFL Draft has options as well including Danny Shelton, Malcom Brown and Jordan Phillips, among others.
What do you think about the Browns spending big on Terrance Knighton in free agency?