4 free agent edge rushers the Cleveland Browns need to consider this offseason

Leonard Williams:

One name I am most excited about is Leonard Williams who looks to be on the move from the New York Giants. Williams is a big body at 6-foot-5, 302 pounds who can play defensive tackle and defensive end. Not only has he played both positions, but he has also shown he can be dominant at both.

Truthfully, in the 4-2-5 scheme, Williams will be most effective at defensive tackle. And while most think it takes an edge rusher to help Garrett get more one-on-ones, a player like Williams will be just as effective drawing attention.

The biggest thing that puts Williams on the top of my list, not only did he have 11.5 sacks in 2020, he had 14 tackles for loss and can be elite at stopping the run. If you paired Williams with Andrew Billings in the middle for 2020, the Browns could be a nightmare to run the ball on. That’s even if they don’t make any huge upgrades at linebacker.

Williams will be expensive, but if you sign him as a defensive tackle it could be at a better price than a defensive end. Williams shouldn’t get more than $20 million per year, but with the craze in the NFL on guys who can rush the passer, you never know.

Williams is no doubt exactly what the Cleveland Browns need, but there is a good chance his price tag is just too much. It’s also worth noting that Williams has been in New York with the Jets and Giants for his entire career, so a move to Cleveland also may not be attractive.

There will be no more excited Browns fan for 2021 if Berry could pull this signing off.