Cleveland Browns: 10 options at EDGE in free agency
By Sam Penix
10 free agent EDGEs for the Cleveland Browns to consider
The Cleveland Browns must find a starting EDGE this offseason to pair with Myles Garrett, as Olivier Vernon is a free agent and is currently rehabbing a torn achilles. The team will likely draft a pass-rusher on Day 2, but it would be best not to rely on a rookie, Porter Gustin, or Adrian Clayborn to play the majority of snaps.
There are plenty of quality options available on the open market this year, and there could be some deals to be found with the salary cap projected to be around the $180 million area. We won’t be discussing the team’s cap situation today, as that is a good story for another time.
Here are 10 players whom Cleveland could pair with Garrett.
10. Ronald Blair III
Ronald Blair missed the entire 2020 season due to complications with knee surgery, but he was expected to turn a strong campaign with the 49ers into a nice long-term contract with a new team. He was a fairly productive pass-rusher from 2016 to 2019 and provides good size at 6-4, 270 pounds. Blair could provide a good low-risk high-reward option as a rotational EDGE and could end up netting the Browns a nice compensatory pick next offseason if he performs well.
9. Vinny Curry
The Browns pursued Vinny Curry last offseason but he ended up re-signing with the Philadelphia Eagles for just over $1.5 million. He’s been one of the league’s best depth rushers for the past eight seasons and would be another low-cost option, but is likely not the player the team wants starting opposite Garrett.
8. Trent Murphy
Trent Murphy logged three productive seasons each with the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills and could be a player who gets less than he should due to the reduction of the salary cap. He put up nine sacks in 2016 and could have similar production playing in Cleveland.