5 Free agent bargains Cleveland Browns should target
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns Free-agent target No. 4: TE Kyle Rudolph
The Browns recently franchised tagged their tight end David Njoku keeping him in Cleveland for at least one more season. With that move, the team decided to part ways and released their other big-name tight end, Austin Hooper. The team has Harrison Bryant coming back for his third season at tight end and should continue to be a steady force on the offense.
However, with that said, they will still need to pick up a tight end or two for depth. The Browns will likely look to draft a tight end in a month when the NFL Draft takes place, but they may try and pick up another veteran tight end like Kyle Rudolph.
The former Minnesota Viking has played under the coaching of Browns coach Kevin Stefanski when he was with the Vikings. They have a history and that might be the type of extra player the Browns would look to bring in to help at the tight end position.
In his best years, like in 2016, Rudolph was catching 83 passes for 840 yards and seven touchdowns. His numbers since have all dwindled but he was still good for 26 catches for 257 yards and one touchdown last season when he played for the New York Giants. A reunion with his old coach might do the heart some good.
His previous contract was a two-year deal worth $12 million with the Giants. Rudolph was released by the Giants so the next deal he signs will be relatively cheap and the Browns might make the most sense.