Cleveland Browns: Which players are in a contract year?

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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 10: Cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun #20 of the Cleveland Browns makes a catch against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 10, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB

An underrated player in the Browns secondary is Briean Boddy-Calhoun. Formidable in the slot, Boddy-Calhoun seems to be forgotten about when discussing the revamped secondary.

After playing well as a rookie, Boddy-Calhoun performed better in year two — although it doesn’t look like it as his interception total fell from three as a rookie to none as a sophomore.

That’s misleading though as he was playing a tough position and according to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as a highly respectable 84.1. That landed him as the No. 24 player at his position.

Boddy-Calhoun needs to return in 2019, barring a huge meltdown in performance of course. The positive about his status however is that he’s a restricted free agent, which means Cleveland can match any contract offer and control whether or not he plays here beyond the 2018 campaign.

E.J. Gaines, CB

After a long wait this offseason, cornerback E.J. Gaines signed a one-year deal for $4 million to join the Browns. By going to Cleveland he reunites with his former defensive coordinator with the Rams.

Gaines will likely start opposite rookie Denzel Ward, and with the main trio of corners also including Boddy-Calhoun, there’s potential for a strong unit.

Talent has never been an issue with Gaines, but injuries have. He missed all of 2015 and has played in just 11 games in each of the past two seasons. If he can stay healthy, the Browns should be willing to spend some of their cap space on keeping their secondary menacing.

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