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3 free agents the Cleveland Browns will regret not signing

By Greg Newland

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) walks the sideline between drives in the second quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.Los Angeles Chargers At Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) walks the sideline between drives in the second quarter of the NFL Week 1 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020.Los Angeles Chargers At Cincinnati Bengals /
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Cleveland Browns
Sep 13, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (28) fumbles while tackled by Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Denzel Perryman (52)during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

Denzel Perryman – Inside Linebacker

While the Browns have more than enough linebackers on the roster, I’m still not sold they have enough talent to have an elite defense. Anthony Walker was the big signing of this free agency, and his presence will be substantial.

The big questions. How improved will Jacob Phillips be? Is Mack Wilson’s knee going to be fully healthy? And lastly, can Sione Takitaki continue to improve?

Truthfully, I have some doubts on all these questions, so I would have loved to see the Browns add another middle-tier linebacker. Denzel Perryman could have been the perfect transition piece.

After injuries last season he would have come at a discount, and he has shown that he can be a strong performer on the field. The Browns could have given him a one-year contract to prove he is healthy and given another year for Phillips to develop who appears to have the most promise.

Phillips and Walker will be a strong tandem in the nickel scheme, but there will still be plenty of snaps with three linebackers on the field. Malcolm Smith will also be a veteran presence, but he won’t have the ability to play 70 percent of the defensive snaps.

Linebacker is a tough position to transition from the collegiate level to the pros, so taking another guy in the draft will likely not be a short-term solution. There are still a few guys available in free agency the Browns could have interest in.

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