The Cleveland Browns recently had a very active offseason. The roster has been rebuilt and stacked with young talent. Here are 5 veteran NFL Free Agents the Browns could add to improve the roster this season.
This past off-season will be one that Cleveland Browns fans will remember for the rest of their lives. The Browns lost Hall Of Fame offensive tackle Joe Thomas to retirement. Despite this great loss, the roster drastically improved under new general manager John Dorsey‘s leadership.
The Browns saw an influx of talent being put into the roster in all ways possible. Dorsey traded for veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills along with Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry from Miami and defensive back Damarious Randall from Green Bay.
The Browns also signed a large group of free agents, including linebacker Mychal Kendricks, cornerback E.J. Gaines, and offensive tackle Chris Hubbard. The Browns also had a large draft class, including No. 1 overall pick quarterback Baker Mayfield and the fourth pick Denzel Ward.
With all that being said, the Browns still have $70.7 million dollars in cap space according to Over The Cap. They could still get better, maybe by looking at these five NFL free agents who could help the team’s gain short-term success.
Wide Receiver Dez Bryant
The Browns wide receiver corps is extremely strong right now.I f you askJosh Gordon they actually have the best collection of receivers in the league. With that being said, there is no such thing as too much talent.
The Browns currently have three wide receivers on the roster who are almost certainly going to be part of the final-53. Those being Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, Antonio Callaway.
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Corey Coleman will most likely be on the 53 man roster if he is not traded. The Browns also have young talented receivers fighting over those last two or three roster spots. Those being guys such as Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, Damion Ratley, and Jeff Janis.
Dez Bryant is currently 29, turning 30 in November. Despite a recent decline in performance, the Browns should take a shot on this veteran pass catcher. Dez still had 838 yards and six touchdowns last season, which both would’ve been the most on the Browns last season. He currently could provide more production than any of the young guys fighting for the last few spots on the roster.
The Browns biggest need in the receiver room right now is another outside receiver to match up on the other side of Josh Gordon. Dez could be that guy. With Jarvis in the slot, and Josh Gordon on the other side, Dez would most likely be matched up against opponents 3rd best Cornerback. There isn’t a team in the NFL whose 3rd best Cornerback could lock down Dez.
The Browns would be stupid not to at least kick the tires on a contract with Dez. Offering him a one-year deal for whatever amount he believes he’s worth is definitely doable for the Browns. This signing would undoubtedly establish the Browns receivers as the best in the NFL.
Defensive End Connor Barwin
The Browns defensive end group is young and talented. Second-year pro Myles Garrett and third-year player Emmanuel Ogbah are two of the most promising young edge rushers in the NFL right now.
Once you get past them, there isn’t much talent in the position group. Carl Nassib and Nate Orchard are the backup ends right now and that is the problem the Browns definitely need to address.
They drafted Chad Thomas out of the University of Miami to address this in the third round, but adding a proven veteran like Connor Barwin would definitely be a great move on their part.
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Barwin last season was a member of the stout Los Angeles Rams defense, where he had five sacks, and 26 tackles while playing outside linebacker in Wade Phillip’s 3-4 defense.
Barwin’s sack total would’ve ranked second on the Browns last season. The veteran, who is 31 and going to be 32 in October, would provide a great depth piece for the Browns.
With his sack production and veteran leadership, he would most likely be able to beat out Nate Orchard for a spot on the roster. If the Browns decided to give Barwin a shot, he would fill a much-needed hole in defensive end depth.
Linebacker NaVorro Bowman
The Browns linebacker corps right now is stacked. With Jamie Collins, Joe Schobert, Christian Kirksey, and now Mychal Kendricks, there isn’t much room for improvement.
Fifth round pick Genard Avery is expected to make the roster also, which solidifies the room pretty well. The Browns, however, should not look past bringing in Navorro Bowman.
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Bowman is a four-time All-Pro Linebacker, also making three Pro Bowls. Bowman tore his Achilles in 2016, but other than that, he has had a pretty healthy NFL career. At the age of 30, Bowman should start experiencing his play decline sometime in the next few seasons.
Despite his age, like all of the players on this list, the Browns should look into bringing him into the fold. Bowman would provide a great depth piece for the Browns, allowing the younger linebackers to pick his brain.
Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert were two of the four players in the NFL to play every snap on their side of the ball and not be an offensive lineman. That type of usage can take a lot out of a player’s body. They both deserve a great rotation this season so they can preserve their bodies and extend their careers, adding Bowman could help in that regard.
Bowman could potentially give the Browns the best Linebacker core in the NFL. It is mind-boggling that he hasn’t been picked up by a team yet.
Defensive Tackle Johnathan Hankins
The Browns weakest position group would most likely be the defensive tackles. With Danny Shelton on the New England Patriots, someone will have to step up and take the spot he previously occupied.
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It seems that Larry Ogunjobi and Trevon Coley will be the starting defensive tackles next season. Caleb Brantley and Jamie Meder are in the mic to be the backups, providing the Browns some depth.
The defensive tackles have potential, but Johnathan Hankins could walk in and be the best on the roster. The former Ohio State Buckeye has started every game in his career besides his rookie season. With 41 games starting for the New York Giants, and 15 for the Indianapolis Colts, he could provide a great veteran presence for the Browns.
The best part about Hankins is that he is a high-caliber free agent who is only 26 years old. The Browns could use him long-term to anchor down the defensive line, providing a great inside pressure to help out the young defensive ends.
Hankins is also the most realistic signing on this list. He has the Ohio State connection to the fan base. He fills arguably the Browns biggest need right now. Hankins makes too much sense as a Cleveland Brown next season.
Offensive Tackle Eric Winston
Eric Winston is the definition of veteran leadership. He is the president of the NFLPA, which shows the respect other players have for him across the league. With Joe Thomas’ departure, an offensive tackle spot on the Browns has opened up.
Cleveland has brought in Chris Hubbard and Donald Stephenson to compete for a starting spot. They also drafted Austin Corbett who is an interior guy, but could move outside. Offensive tackles Rod Johnson and Shon Coleman already exist in the Browns O-line room. Out of all the guys previously mentioned, it seems only Hubbard has a starting spot secured.
The battle to start out of this group is who will start at left tackle. Besides Chris Hubbard and Austin Corbett, none of the Browns candidates for the job are all that talented, or up to the task.
Eric Winston is a veteran tackle who has predominantly played on the right side of the line. With his intelligence and experience, the switch to left wouldn’t be that big of a challenge for him. He could slide in to the starting line up and provide as a bridge for the Browns future left tackle. The future most likely resides in the 2019 NFL Draft class, but for now, Winston could be the answer.
Winston’s 34 years old, turning 35 this season. If the Browns do end up taking a shot and signing him, don’t expect it to be for more than a year.
The Cleveland Browns have added a good amount of talent this past off-season. Fans can expect to see a brand new team with a brand new system on the field in 2018. Signing any one of these 5 guys could help put the new-look Browns into the playoffs.
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With any of these vets or not, expect the Cleveland Browns to be a dark horse candidate to make the playoffs due to their off-season acquisitions.