Free agents from NFC North the Cleveland Browns should target
By Dan Justik
Detroit Lions – Cornerback DeShawn Shead
The Cleveland Browns have built a solid cornerback room with Ward, Mitchell, and Carrie at the top of the depth chart. They also had E.J. Gaines last season, but he is set to be a free agent and dealt with multiple concussions last season.
If the Browns do not want to spend a lot of money at the position and either add a cornerback in the draft or just role with their current group, then they could explore adding cheap depth pieces in free agency.
One of the players that would be extremely cheap and fit in as a depth piece is DeShawn Shead. Shead spent 2018 with the Detroit Lions, but never really found a role and did not play many snaps, playing more on special teams than on defense.
The reason why he is an intriguing player as a depth piece is because he has plenty of experience playing in a heavy zone coverage scheme, while also having success in that scheme. Shead spent the first six years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, known for their game-changing zone defense.
As the Browns transition into Steve Wilks’ aggressive, zone defensive scheme, adding a player like Shead, who has shown success in a zone defense, would make sense. It may not be a signing that would move the needle, but it would be a prudent way to build depth at the position.