Cleveland Browns: Overhauling the defensive line

Jadeveon Clowney is the Cleveland Browns top priority

Who should the Browns look to resign from their own free agents? The first answer is an obvious one…Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney was brought into Cleveland on a one-year prove-it deal, and the uber-talented edge defender did just that. Now Clowney is going to look to be broken off with a multi-year deal regardless of what team he decides to go to.

There is zero doubt that general manager Andrew Berry will explore every avenue to see if there is any way to retain Clowney’s services. Although because of what the team already has invested in Garrett, Berry will not get out over his skis on a long-term deal with Clowney. Several factors come into play in regard to Clowney’s prospective future with the team.

While Clowney did perform well in 2020, his age and injury history has to be taken into consideration when it comes to lengthy contract talks. If Berry is able to ink Clowney to a three-year deal with money upfront in the first two years, expect the Browns to move assets around to make it happen. If Clowney is looking for something longer, well we can only hope he ends up with a team outside of the AFC North.

Sheldon Day is one name that needs to be considered being brought back into the fold. Day is heading into his seventh year as a pro and would be a solid depth piece that the Browns could bring back at a price that would be advantageous to both the player and the team. By resigning Day, the Browns would be elevating the floor of the defensive tackle room while adding a veteran presence to the young group.

While Day is not a stat sheet stuffer, he does tons of things that the Browns covet. He anchors well at the point of attack and stays assignment sound in the run game. Day doesn’t offer a lot of support in pass rush, but he plays with a high motor and rallies to the ball. He also gives the Browns some inside-out versatility which is extremely valuable when you are rounding out a positional group.