Cleveland Browns: Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen?
By Grant Puskar
With the Cleveland Browns starting hot and cooling off in free agency, which of these two guys should they add to boost production on defense?
It is pretty clear that the Cleveland Browns have a lot of work to do still when it comes to addressing some positions on the roster, whether that be from the draft or the remaining guys in free agency.
The Browns got off to a very hot start when free agency first kicked off, making three big splashes the first day it all opened up.
Of those three big splashes, none of them came on the defensive side of the ball. Although none of these “big splashes” came on defense, they have still added a few guys like Karl Joseph, Andrew Billings and Andrew Sendejo.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Outside of those guys, there are two bigger free agency names that the Browns have been linked to: Jadeveon Clowney and Everson Griffen. Which guy makes more sense for the Browns?
While Clowney may be more talented and younger, Griffen makes much more sense for the Browns. Why? While Griffen may be 32 years old, there are a few reasons why it makes sense for him to be in brown and orange next season.
He has ties to Stefanski already from Minnesota. With both new head coach Kevin Stefanski and Griffen coming from Minnesota, the ties are already there.
He also has ties to Joe Woods. Woods was working on the same defensive unit as Griffen for a couple of years, giving the possible connection on the Browns what would be a jump start. It is also clear that Griffen still has stuff left in the tank.
Last year, Griffen finished with a grade of 76 from Pro Football Focus, putting him at 26th amongst edge rushers. A veteran presence that could not only contribute on the field, but also in the locker room teaching some of the young guys seems like a no brainer.
Griffen would also most likely be a cheaper option than Clowney. Starting off his NFL career in 2010, Griffen has played in 10 or more games in every season so far.
Durability never hurt anyone, right?
Next. Browns add secondary stars in 7-round mock. dark
While both Clowney and Griffen are valuable pieces to whatever defense they are on, bringing in Griffen makes the most sense for the Browns right now in the current state that the team is in if they decide to bring one of these two top remaining defensive guys in.