3 Free agents the Cleveland Browns need to consider

With Andrew Berry set as the team’s general manager, it is time to start looking ahead at what the Cleveland Browns can do in free agency.

The Cleveland Browns need to be concerned with building this team through the draft. However, free agency can be a good place to plug and play some players who could start while the younger guys continue to develop.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski could use a few veteran players on this roster who could help in terms of on field production and leadership in the locker room. Here are three player who could help the Cleveland Browns next season.

1. Anthony Harris, Saftey

Anthony Harris had a great season playing safety for the Minnesota Vikings last season. The fifth year pro from Virginia had a career high with 60 tackles and six interceptions. He also had a pick in the teams first playoff game this past season against the New Orleans Saints.

In Harris, the Browns would get someone who could play at a borderline Pro-Bowl level for a few seasons and he is someone who is very familiar with Stefanski, being together for five seasons in Minnesota.

The Browns safety position is pretty bare as of now. Damarious Randall is a free agent who is unlikely to return and the other safety spot was rotated among different players all season long. Morgan Burnett suffered a serious injury during the last Pittsburgh game and his status remains a mystery heading into free agency.

2. T.J. Clemmings, Offensive Tackle

Ok, T.J. Clemmings who? Fair question. Clemmings is a swing tackle who was placed on IR right before the season started last season with a quad injury for the Chicago Bears. He was in the competition to play for them during training camp but was added to their roster last May to be the backup swing tackle.

Clemmings started 20 games for Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota from 2015 through 2016.  He is a fifth year pro out of Pitt. He would add depth at a position that is sure to see change. With the possibility of both starting tackles Chris Hubbard and Greg Robinson gone, and with the all but assured drafting of a young tackle, a veteran player with starting experience who has played for Stefanski before would be a nice option to have.

Should we expect him to start? No. But if a player gets injured or the young guy isn’t ready yet then Clemmings should be reliable enough to step in.

3. Austin Hooper, Tight End

Austin Hooper would be a nice addition for the tight ends room. Starting in ten games for the Atlanta Falcons last season, Hooper had his best season as a pro. The 25 year old from Stanford recorded 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns.

Surely Atlanta wants to re-sign him but if a deal can’t get worked out then he would be a sought after commodity. And according to Cleveland.com, the Falcons may struggle to sign him:

"“Atlanta might struggle to re-sign Hooper because it has just $10.7 million in cap space, which is 29th in the league. Much of that is tied up by quarterback Matt Ryan and Jones. Defensive ends Vic Beasley and Adrian Clayborn are among the Falcons’ other notable free agents.”– Matt Goul, Cleveland.com"

With not only the uncertainty of David Njoku’s status on the club but also his play on the field, the Browns are in need of a starting caliber tight end. Hooper can step right in and provide that for Cleveland.