John Dorsey’s 5 worst moves as Cleveland Browns general manager
3. Investing in run defense but not delivering
The Cleveland Browns have sought the help to remedy a porous run defense, by signing veteran tackle Sheldon Richardson to a three year, $37 million dollar contract with $15 million dollars guaranteed.
However the Browns have not improved themselves versus the run statistically as they have given up 1130 yards on the ground already this year, and 4.9 yards per carry which is third worst in the NFL. It’s a cliché that you have to stop the run to play winning football. The Browns cannot stop the run.
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It is certainly not the fault of any one player, but suffice it to say that Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon are very good. Hence, the hope was that improved play from the tackles would stabilize the run defense.
So far, Richardson has zero sacks and zero tackles for loss. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) grades him 43rd highest in the world after seven games, and significantly higher than Larry Ogunjobi even though Ogunjobi has four sacks. Richardson has certainly been good enough to start, but there were probably better ways to invest $37 million dollars in this team.
The way things are going, the Browns might be tempted to release Richardson over the winter. It would cost the Browns $5.3 million charged against the 2020 cap to extricate themselves from the contract, but if they keep him they need to come up with $13.7 million. That probably will not happen. Richardson’s options would be to renegotiate at a much lower rate or accept his release and move on.