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Cleveland Browns: 5 Free agents who won’t be back in 2021

By Randy Gurzi

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 13: Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns attempts to tackle Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Browns. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

These 5 free agents in 2021 likely won’t return to the Cleveland Browns

In the past couple of seasons, the Cleveland Browns were very active in free agency. The previous regime headed up by general manager John Dorsey signed players such as Terrance Mitchell, T.J. Carrie, Chris Hubbard, Morgan Burnett, and Sheldon Richardson — just to name a few of the key acquisitions.

Not all of them have worked out and that played a part in some of the decisions made by their newest GM, Andrew Berry. The first-year general manager added players such as Jack Conklin, Austin Hooper, Adrian Clayborn, and Karl Joseph in his first offseason. He also let some of the underperforming players go as well.

Some of the moves made by Berry have succeeded whereas a few others have not. And while the season is still underway, Berry is probably already thinking about what he needs to do when the campaign comes to an end. With that being said, we look ahead to the 2021 offseason and focus on Browns players who have expiring contracts.

Some will be retained but there will be a lot of players on the roster right now who end up looking for new homes in 2021. Here we identify five such players who likely won’t receive new contracts in Cleveland.

5. B.J. Goodson, Linebacker

There were several players signed to one-year deals this offseason as stop-gap solutions. One of those was linebacker B.J. Goodson. A former Green Bay Packer and New York Giant, Goodson was brought in to help ease the loss of Joe Schobert and Christian Kirksey.

In eight games, Goodson has been serviceable as a starter. He’s had his share of issues on coverage as well as in run defense but while he hasn’t been a major liability, he also hasn’t stood out as a playmaker. For that reason, Goodson will likely hit the open market once again in 2021.

For the Browns, they would be better served leaning on players such as Jacob Phillips and Mack Wilson while trying to find a more impactful player at the position in the draft to round the depth chart out.

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