4 ‘cheap’ free agent cornerbacks the Cleveland Browns could target

1. Quinton Dunbar

Quinton Dunbar had an awful year in Seattle after being one of the 15 best corners in the NFL per Pro Football Focus in 2019. He also finished in the top half of the NFL per PFF in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, he dealt with injuries playing only six games for the Seahawks. Could a one-year prove-it deal be enough?

A motivated, talented corner looking to cash in before he hits 30 could be the best find in the market. Dunbar has never played a 16 game season in his career, so that is something else anyone who signs him will have to consider.

While 2020 was a disaster for Dunbar, he is 6-2 and has productive seasons in his past. In just six games, he was able to get five passes defended, two tackles for loss, and an interception. If you hit the jackpot for a season with Dunbar, it could look more like 2019 when Dunbar started 11 games and had eight passes defended and four interceptions. Quarterbacks had a 61.2 rating throwing his way in 2019 on 55 targets. The talent is definitely there when it comes to Dunbar. He needs to stay on the field.

Dunbar may be the most talented “cheap” corner on the market but comes with high risk based on his injury history. His career-high in snaps was 2019 with 613. The Browns have issues with injuries at the position, but with limited cap space, they will need to take some big swings without some restructuring or cuts. Dunbar qualifies as he likely has the most significant ceiling in the market but is nearly equally a high bust candidate.

When you are looking to take the next step on a budget, sometimes these are the risks you have to take.

Contract prediction: Two years, $12.5 million, $7-9 million guaranteed(really a one year deal with all the guaranteed money upfront)