Cleveland Browns: 3 free agents that should be top priorities
By Greg Newland
The Cleveland Browns have not been as active recently with a few lingering questions. Once the price tags drop, expect Andrew Berry to dive back in.
After starting with a splash by trading for Amari Cooper and then Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns have entered a bit of a holding pattern. Not only is Andrew Berry waiting for the market to cool off and prices to drop, but he is also trying to figure out what will happen to Baker Mayfield.
At the moment it appears to be a longshot that they can trade his $18.9 million contract that is fully guaranteed and get anything in return. The Browns aren’t desperate for cap space at the moment, so I don’t see them willing to add a pick and Mayfield for someone to pick up his tab, but you never know.
One thing to keep in mind, it’s not a big deal for the Browns to pay the salary in 2022, they do have plenty of room with the structure of the Watson deal. However, any room they have left can help with the rollover for 2023 which will be crucial. Guys like Watson, Cooper, and Myles Garrett have much bigger cap hits and Berry will likely be trying to find money to pay Denzel Ward.
Berry picked up Ethan Pocic earlier in the week at a bargain value. With just over $1 million hitting the cap, he is the perfect depth piece on the offensive line that the Browns desperately needed.
You never want to plan for injuries, but it seems to happen almost every single year to the Browns.
As another week passes you will start to see price tags fall. Don’t be shocked to see Berry jump back in at that time and make a few signings to bolster his roster. Here are three guys that are still available and should be on the Browns radar.