Cleveland Browns: 5 most important additions this offseason

2. Jadeveon Clowney – Defensive End

After missing out on him in 2020, the Browns finally signed former No. 1 pick, Jadeveon Clowney.  So far in his career, Clowney has not lived up to expectations that he entered the NFL with, but this could be his breakout year.

In the last two seasons, Clowney has just three total sacks, of which all came with Seattle in 2019. And while he has gotten some negative attention for not producing stats, he continues to get pressure and is an elite run stopper in the league.

The biggest reason I think Clowney is so important to the Browns. It’s finally a guy that can take some pressure of Myles Garrett. The reason Clowney lost production the last two seasons, he was the number one guy.

When in Houston with J.J. Watt, Clowney posted 24.5 sacks over a three-year period. While he may not be a number one guy in the league, he’s proven to be a dominant number two.

Now teams won’t be able to just put tight ends and running back on the right side of the set to double and triple-team Garrett. Teams will have to focus on both which will allow each to have impactful seasons.

Clowney is a short-term answer with only a one-year deal, but he could be the piece that gets this Browns defense to the next level. Remember, when Olivier Vernon was healthy, this defense was a totally different unit.