3 biggest offseason needs for the Cleveland Browns
By Greg Newland
2. Defensive Line
There is a very good chance that Olivier Vernon and Larry Ogunjobi have played their last snaps as members of the Cleveland Browns. Vernon has passed his peak, and another injury has made it all too clear he can’t stay on the field.
The injury in 2020 was such a tragedy, as he was looking like he could be working for a huge payday. Ogunjobi was drafted by the Browns, but those folks are no longer in the building. Ogunjobi has shown at times he can be a solid pass rusher in the middle, but he has struggled in the run game being undersized.
Myles Garrett, Adrian Clayborn, Andrew Billings, and Jordan Elliott all have a strong chance of being on the opening day roster, but it’s tough to say on defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson. The big man who has been a tremendous asset will be 31 next year and a cap hit of 12 million, with only 1.67 million of dead money. Although I would like to see him stay, he could easily be a cap casualty.
Look for the Browns to spend on an edge rusher in free agency. This is a position that is highly valued by the analytical regime and only makes Garrett a better asset. Billings and Elliott will be sufficient starters, but there will need to be some depth added in free agency or the draft in the later rounds.