Cleveland Browns: 5 players possibly entering last season with franchise
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns player No. 4 in last season with team: Jack Conklin
One of the bigger Cleveland Browns pickups in free agency before the 2020 season was getting Jack Conklin, who had been a member of the Tennessee Titans. Conklin has been an outstanding right tackle in his career and has been pretty reliable too. He hadn’t missed too many games in any prior seasons until last season when he was injured a couple of different times and only played in seven games.
He’s only 27 years old and the former first-round pick out of Michigan State will be looking for a nice payday next spring as his contract can be voided out in 2023 and he could be a free agent again.
This upcoming draft will be interesting to pay attention to as well, especially if the Browns draft a couple of offensive linemen in preparation for the departure of a player like Conklin.
Cleveland Browns player No. 5 in last season with team: Greedy Williams
Greedy Williams was drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of LSU. The cornerback’s contract is up after this season, and he could become an unrestricted free agent. His time in Cleveland was filled with anticipation.
He was going to team up with Denzel Ward on the corners and be those stoppers on the outside. That, however, hasn’t been the case as Williams has struggled to stay on the football field due to injuries. He sat out the entire 2020 season due to a nerve issue with his shoulder. There was concern that Williams would never return to the game, but he did have some nice moments in his return to the team in 2021.
Those highlights included two interceptions, one of which should have secured a win for the Browns back in December when they lost to the Las Vegas Raiders.
With the drafting of new cornerback Greg Newsome II in last year’s draft by the Browns, the team decided to use Williams in more of a backup role. This upcoming season should be one where Williams will be playing for that new and improved second deal that will be more profitable for the young man.
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Time will tell if the Browns actively pursue trying to sign Williams to a second contract. He’s got a lot riding on this next season, and I suspect he will add a few more highlights to his game tape.