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Cleveland Browns top franchise tag options for 2022 season

By Greg Newland

Oct 25, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85)makes the touchdown catch as Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Vonn Bell (24)defends late in the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85)makes the touchdown catch as Cincinnati Bengals strong safety Vonn Bell (24)defends late in the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Oct 17, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns Franchise Tag Option No. 2 – Jadeveon Clowney

One of the most productive players for the Cleveland Browns in 2021 was defensive end, Jadeveon Clowney. Not only did he provide an intense pass-rush, but he also continued to be dominant in the run game as well.

The franchise tag for defensive end is just over $20 million for the 2022 season. Keep in mind, Myles Garrett only has a cap hit of $12.9 million in 2022, before facing a massive increase for 2023 and beyond.

I’m all in on the Browns keeping Clowney, but with money due at other positions, I also understand they will likely only be able to keep him for one more year either way. If they could agree on a one-year deal under this value, great. If not, the franchise tag could be a tremendous option.

Clowney should be motivated to stay with the Browns. He knows Garrett is important to take some pressure off him, and he seems to have fit in the city very well.

Finding a way to keep Clowney for another season allows the Browns to draft someone at the position or sign a cheaper free agent and give them another year to develop. The best-case scenario would be drafting a defensive end in 2022, letting him play sparing for one season, and cutting him loose in 2023 when you will have to pay Denzel Ward and make a decision on Baker Mayfield.

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