Cleveland Browns: Five biggest 2021 free agent impact additions

1. DL J.J. Watt

The Browns need to get Myles Garrett a partner, and there really isn’t a more perfect fit than J.J. Watt. Yes, he’s 32. Yes, he’s had some injury issues over the course of his career. But he’s still one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL, and he requires a double-team on every snap.

Garrett commands that opposing teams dedicate two players to block him, so that leaves one lineman to block to another down lineman, and that’s not including blitzers. See how exciting this addition could be?

Watt provides everything that Olivier Vernon did, but in a more consistent and disruptive package to go along with added versatility. He can play EDGE in base formations and then move inside to 3-tech on third downs, where he’s been incredibly effective over the past few years. He’s also still one of the NFL’s very best run defenders.

Who knows what Watt’s true market will end up being. But if he’s interested in playing for a Super Bowl contender, the Browns certainly fit that description.

Each of these five players would make a huge difference for the 2021 Browns. Will any of them actually be playing in Cleveland next season? That depends on what the market looks like during an unprecedented offseason.

If there’s one front office that can take advantage of the situation, it’s Andrew Berry and company.