5 free agents the Cleveland Browns must sign

4. DL Solomon Thomas

Larry Ogunjobi is a free agent and could be headed elsewhere. He impressed as a rookie, but never took the next step; in fact, he consistently regressed in each successive season. Sheldon Richardson will likely be back, but certainly not at his current $13.6 million cap hit. Andrew Billings opted out of the 2020 campaign, which left a gaping hole in Cleveland’s run defense. Third-round pick Jordan Elliott was inconsistent (which is to be expected from a rookie defensive tackle), but impressed at times and should show improvement in 2021.

The team needs to add another DT in order to complete the four-man rotation, preferably one who can provide pass-rush help. There aren’t a ton of great options this offseason, especially in a very weak draft class. That’s why Solomon Thomas makes so much sense; the third overall pick in 2017 has been a disappointment with the Niners, and a large reason for that is he has been playing out of position. He was an incredibly dominant player at Stanford when playing three-tech defensive tackle, yet San Francisco has used him mainly as a wide defensive end.

Thomas is an elite athlete, and if he can stay healthy (a torn ACL last season will affect his market value), a move back inside could help him skyrocket his value. A short-term deal where he can play on the same line as Myles Garrett (and likely another very good EDGE, perhaps even the next player on this list), where he’d face a lot of one-on-one reps, would be a great way to do that.