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3 pass rushers the Cleveland Browns should target in free agency

By Frank Teriaca

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 30: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins is hit by Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills and fumbles causing a turnover in the third quarter during NFL game action at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 30: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins is hit by Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills and fumbles causing a turnover in the third quarter during NFL game action at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns could use a little more help when it comes to rushing the passer. Here are three players that can help next season.

The Cleveland Browns received little out of Olivier Vernon from a season ago. With only 3.5 sacks on the opposite end of Myles Garrett, Vernon failed to produce a consistent pass rush from his side of the line and he could be a candidate to be released from the roster soon.

The Browns are in dire need of another pass rushing end to help take the pressure off of Garrett. The Browns could address it through the draft but if they elect to go the free agent route, here are three players that could help next season.

No. 1: Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons

Vic Beasley could be the answer for Cleveland after the Atlanta Falcons had announced that they would be parting ways with the former first round pick out of Clemson. Beasley does have some limitations but is still an effective pass rusher.

Coming off a 2019 campaign in which he recorded eight sacks, two forced fumbles and 42 tackles, Beasley’s production speaks for itself. He has 37.5 career sacks in five seasons and once recorded 15.5 sacks during the 2016 season.

Beasley also is not one to get injured, having missed only two games in his career. That is remarkable in itself and would be a great addition to a defensive line room that has been often ravaged by injury.

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No. 2: Derek Wolfe, Denver Broncos

Derek Wolfe is a very solid and consistent football player, something the Browns could certainly use. Wolfe is coming off a career best seven sack season in which he appeared in 12 games for the Denver Broncos.

Wolfe, an eight-year veteran from the University of Cincinnati has 33 career sacks and has benefited from playing alongside a great pass rusher in Von Miller. Knowing how to be on the opposite end of another great rusher, Wolfe should be able to come in and excel with Myles Garrett.

The 30-year-old is a Lisbon, Ohio native and may want to return back to his home state to finish out the remaining years he has left in the NFL. Long-term answer, no. But for a season or two, Wolfe could be the answer for Cleveland.

No. 3: Shaq Lawson, Buffalo Bills

Another former Clemson Tiger, Shaq Lawson is entering the prime of his NFL career. Lawson had 6.5 sacks for Buffalo with a forced fumble and 32 tackles in 2019. The Bills declined Lawson’s fifth year option, making him a free agent.

The four-year veteran, who was Buffalo’s first round pick in 2016, has had an up-and-down career as to date. But he has shown enough flashes to where it would be fun to consider him being paired with an elite pass rusher such as Garrett.

Lawson has also been a very solid player against the run during his career and that is one area in which the Browns could always use some improvement. He is also a versatile player as the Bills have used him as a three-technique defensive tackle in certain situations.

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Lawson would be a fine addition for the Browns and he probably would not break the bank as far as the contract is concerned.

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