Analyzing the Cleveland Browns depth chart at defensive tackle
By Randy Gurzi
Free-agent addition: Sheldon Richardson
John Dorsey’s biggest free agent addition this season came on the defensive line as he was able to come to terms with defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. A former first-round pick, Richardson spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Jets.
His best two seasons came in his first two campaigns with New York. As a rookie coming out of Missouri, Richardson has 77 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He followed that up with 66 tackles and eight sacks in his sophomore campaign, which earned him his one Pro Bowl appearance to date.
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Eventually, Richardson was traded to the Seattle Seahawks but stayed just one season there before hitting the open market in 2018. With his star cooled off some, he was able to get just a one-year deal from the Minnesota Vikings. He ended up performing very well for them, racking up 49 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
That helped him finally get some of the security he was after as Cleveland gave him a three-year deal worth $36 million. More than half that deal is guaranteed as Richardson will make at least $21 million with the Browns.
His addition shores up a hole on their line and gives them four quality starters. He’s strong against the run, which Cleveland needs, and can bring the heat as an interior rusher as well. This signing didn’t get the attention it deserves, but this was a huge win for Dorsey and the Browns.