Cleveland Browns: Top 5 remaining free agent targets

1. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney has a reputation for being a relative bust, but that’s not really his fault. He received a historical amount of hype coming out of South Carolina, and although he’s never reached 10 sacks in a season, he’s a consistently disruptive player against the pass and terrific against the run. Injuries have also played a part, and while his elite athletic ability is continually chipped away by injuries, such as the torn meniscus he had surgery on last season, he’s not done yet.

He gets consistent pressure and is a force in the run game; he’s basically a bigger, more explosive version of Olivier Vernon, who was unfortunately lost to a torn achilles, and his NFL future is in doubt as he is past the age of 30.

Everything will depend on Clowney’s price, as he’s typically maximized his earnings each opportunity he’s gotten. But if he can be had at a more reasonable amount than the other pass-rushers who have signed this offseason, Clowny could be perhaps the best value of the free agency period. He’d get the chance to win a Super Bowl and play opposite the best EDGE in the NFL, which would leave him one-on-one quite often.

A healthy season with career-best production would set him up well for a long-term contract at age 29. The Browns can’t go into 2020 with Takk McKinley as their starting EDGE, and there aren’t any rookies in this class who can provide a good impact on day one, at least none who will be available when Cleveland is on the clock. Clowney has always been the best option.

The Browns have done a great job in free agency so far. By filling just a few more needs, they can go into the draft unchained, without being forced into drafting one or two positons.