Report: Cleveland Browns meeting with free agent Jadeveon Clowney

After losing out on the Jadeveon Clowney sweepstakes last season to the Tennessee Titans, the Cleveland Browns are hosting pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney on a free-agent visit.

Last offseason, the Browns showed interest in adding Clowney before he inked a one-year deal with the Titans. However, the former No. 1 overall selection’s “prove-it” deal didn’t materialize for him. Since then, Clowney fired his agent, Bus Cook, who also represents Myles Garrett.

Adding a free-agent, veteran edge rusher to pair with Garrett was clearly an important piece to building this defense for general manager Andrew Berry. This has been common knowledge since their aggressive pursuit of J.J. Watt who wound up in Arizona.

Despite an outstanding offseason of adding help in the secondary with John Johnson III and Troy Hill, the Browns struck out on the top edges in this class. Players like Bud Dupree, Carl Lawson, and Trey Hendrickson all cashed in on big paydays while the Browns played within their margins.

Starting just eight games and not recording a single sack last season with Tennessee, Cleveland can now swoop in and sign Clowney on a budget. While Clowney did not record a sack, he was still productive in a few advanced metrics categories.

Clowney underwent surgery on a torn meniscus in December, ending his season after just eight games. Along the way, he was able to record a forced fumble, four tackles for loss, and six QB hits.

Regardless of position, Clowney is the top remaining free agent on NFL.com’s Top 101 free agents. He ranked No. 7 overall.

Just when it appeared the Browns were going to clunk through this offseason just by adding Takk McKinley and Malik Jackson to compliment Garrett, Berry decides to host one of the biggest-name pass rushers available, and potentially ink him on another budget deal.