Daily Dawg Tags: Cleveland Browns have aggressive start to free agency
By Dan Justik
The Daily Dawg Tags brings you all the Cleveland Browns news you need to know, including Andrew Berry making an early impact in free agency.
During one of first press conferences as the Cleveland Browns general manager, Andrew Berry claimed he would be aggressive when it came to adding talent to the roster. During his first chance to prove it, Berry made it well-known he is not messing around.
The Browns were one of the biggest stories on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, as they came to an agreement to terms with three free agents: Austin Hooper, Jack Conklin, and Case Keenum.
Cleveland was once again armed with some of the most cap space in the NFL. With the amount of money available to them, the Browns front office was not afraid to invest that money in players they believe will transform the roster in 2020.
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Today’s featured article discusses Berry’s aggressive start to free agency and what it could mean for the rest of the offseason.
Cleveland Browns News
"New executive vice president of football operations Andrew Berry struck quickly after the official “tampering” window opened Monday afternoon with a trio of moves to fill pressing needs while also not compromising the flexibility that will be required two to three years down the road."
Although Berry gave out several millions of dollars on the first day of free agency, the Browns maintained their flexibility by front-loading the contracts of their agreements. Keeping cap flexibility for extensions that will be due in the next couple of seasons was a priority for the Browns this offseason, but they were able to maintain the flexibility while still bolstering their roster.
Browns score a win by tendering Kareem Hunt
There was a bit of uncertainty about Kareem Hunt‘s future in Cleveland, but the questions were put to rest when the Browns placed a second round tender on the restricted free agent. Randy Gurzi believes the tender is a win for the Browns in more ways than one.
"With Damarious Randall also to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday, the Browns are left with only two safeties on the roster: Sheldrick Redwine and J.T. Hassell. Redwine, a fourth-round draft pick last year, started five games for the Browns’ injury-riddled secondary last season. Hassell, also a rookie last season, played in four games after signing as an undrafted free agent."
With the release of Morgan Burnett, as well as Eric Murray and Juston Burris signing elsewhere on the first day of free agency, the Browns have a clear need at safety. They have left themselves with little wiggle room, and adding a veteran in free agency seems to be a certainty at this point for the Browns. If not, then they will have placed a lot of pressure on themselves to find answers in the draft.
Next. Browns trade back and load up in 7-round mock draft. dark
Deep dive into Jack Conklin’s fit with the Browns
Cleveland’s agreement with Jack Conklin was arguably the biggest move for the Browns on Monday as it addressed one of the biggest needs on the roster. Mitch Zoloty took a look at Conklin’s fit with the Browns prior to the news of his agreement with the Browns.