5 remaining free agents Cleveland Browns can sign in June
By Greg Newland
Cleveland Browns Free Agent Option No. 4: Avery Williamson, Linebacker
There is no doubt that Berry has addressed the linebacker position this year. In 2020 they drafted Jacob Phillips, and then this year they drafted Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah as well as signed free agent Anthony Walker.
The group will be substantially upgraded from 2020, but there is still room for improvement if the right guy is available. That guy could very well be local Clevelander, Avery Williamson.
Williamson is a former fifth-round pick, who has been extremely productive in the NFL, especially against the run. In 6 years in the league, he has 607 tackles, 15.5 sacks, and 29 tackles for loss.
Most importantly, he has started 85 of 94 possible games
Williamson is an interior 3-4 linebacker, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t fit in the 4-2-5 scheme. He’s primarily a run defender, but there will be plenty of running situations where Williamson would be a huge benefit.
The biggest drawback to getting this done, will Williamson be ready to take on lesser of a role with a team? He has been a starter for most of his career, and with the Browns, he would likely only see 30-40 percent of the defensive snaps.
Given he is still available, the price could very well be right for Williamson’s services, and he could be the added depth the Browns need at inside linebacker.