4 ‘cheap’ free agent defensive linemen Cleveland Browns could consider

The Cleveland Browns have between $17 million and $22 million in cap space, depending on which site you use. How will they use it?

After watching the Superbowl Sunday, it’s clear that if you want to have a chance to win every Sunday get good players in the trenches. The Cleveland Browns have already addressed one side of the ball as their entire offensive line returns in 2021. The defensive side of the ball has some questions.

Larry Ogunjobi is a free agent and has never been consistent. Oliver Vernon is likely gone after tearing his Achilles late in the year and is unlikely to be resigned. Sheldon Richardson is in the last year of his deal and on the wrong side of 30, so a restructure/extension could happen after a strong season, but the analytics are not on his side.

Porter Gustin had some moments but looks like a backup, and Curtis Weaver was snagged from Miami and is talented but was a fifth-round pick for a reason. Jordan Elliott was up and down as a rookie. The Browns do get Andrew Billings back for one year. He will start next to Richardson if the Browns are unable to find more help. Cleveland doesn’t need to sell the farm to upgrade the defensive line, but they need to get better. So who can they get to help?

4. Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins is a wild card based on his health over the last two seasons. During that time, he has appeared in just 22 games with one start. When fully healthy, Rankins still shows the explosion that allowed him to put up 24 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss from 2017-2018. The question is, which player are you signing?

Rankins is still only 26 years old, and the last two seasons have been more about injuries than flat out lousy play. Even if Rankins isn’t the player he was back in 2018, he has the talent to start and could provide solid play while the Browns look for a replacement.  Cleveland’s front office would have to evaluate the risk/reward here but could find a diamond on the cheap if Rankins returns even close to his strong 2018 season.

While a two-year deal may be needed to get him in Cleveland, the front office will need to make sure it is structured to protect them. They will need the ability to get out of it after one year without a big cap hit if the injury issues continue or possibly talk extension should everything work out.

Contract prediction: Two years, $15 million, $7-8 million guaranteed (really a one year deal)