Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

5 Blockbuster Free Agent signings Cleveland Browns must consider

By Ryan Murphy

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his interception in the first quarter of the Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates his interception in the first quarter of the Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles against inside linebacker Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 08: Quarterback Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks scrambles against inside linebacker Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /

2. Cory Littleton, Linebacker, Los Angeles Rams

Projected contract per overthecap.com: 4 years-$12m avg/yr, $30m guaranteed, $48m total

After appearing to not meet the contractual demands of Joe Schobert, the Browns are in desperate need of linebacker help.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

Cory Littleton has made a name for himself in four seasons with the Rams, and is now hitting the open market. He has been one of the best coverage linebackers in football the past two seasons, registering 18 pass break-ups, six interceptions, and a 90.6 coverage grade from PFF. His 90.6 coverage grade landed him third in the league in that category, showing he can keep up with tight ends and running backs out of the backfield.

Littleton showed a lot in the passing game; however, his run defense was his downfall. His 50.8 run defense grade from PFF ranked him 103/126 qualifying linebackers in the last two seasons. That is quite the disparity from the promise he shows as a pass defender.

Littleton had an overall grade of 78.9 in 2019, ranking him eighth among linebackers. His 82.3 coverage grade and 77.3 pass rushing grade were areas that will draw interest from the Browns. Cleveland needs pass rushers and they need pass defenders.

However, the Browns also need to stop the run, where they were in the bottom half of the league again last season. Littleton’s unimpressive run defending grades may stop the Browns from shelling out money to Littleton, but they should at least be interested.

Home/Browns News