Cleveland Browns 2020 big bucks players: Who stays, who goes?

Potential Casualties

It’s very difficult to advocate cutting players who have become like personal friends over the year. What if I meet one of these players at a charity golf tournament someday and they remember that I’m the smart SOB that told Dorsey to cut him? Yikes. The average football player could squish me like a grape.

Nevertheless, there is a job to be done.

Sheldon Richardson may be on his way out. He’s still very good, but would the team rather have Richardson or would they rather have $8.3 million for the 2020 cap? That may be too tempting to be ignored.

Richardson struggled early as he adapted to Steve Wilks’ unorthodox 4-2-5 defense, but according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he’s now the NFL’s 15th highest graded interior defender. The Browns would probably renegotiate his contract if he is willing to accept a somewhat lower salary.

Christian Kirksey, who spent 2019 on the Injured Reserve after a poor 2018 campaign, will probably also be asked to take a major haircut or go.

T. J. Carrie has played well at times, but probably not at the high level demanded by his contract. The Browns will probably elect to recover the $6.35 million in cap space, though Carrie will continue to be employed in the NFL next year.

Morgan Burnett has played well enough to justify his salary. However, an Achilles Injury at age 30 may set him back. This is a tough business, and the Browns will have to bet on the outcome of a difficult surgical procedure.

Chris Smith, Demetrius Harris, Kendall Lamm, and Eric Kush will probably also not be coming back, though they are still good enough to catch on with another NFL team.