3 Free agent return specialists Browns can add ahead of Week 1

1. Dede Westbrook

Dede Westbrook hasn’t had as much experience running kicks back as the other players mentioned on this list but he still was good at it when given a chance. Back in 2018, he averaged 14 yards per punt return for the Jacksonville Jaguars and had a touchdown as well.

For his career, the former Oklahoma Sooner has 644 yards on punt returns and 126 on kick returns. However, he also offers value as a wideout. In 55 career games, Westbrook has 170 receptions for 1,788 yards and nine touchdowns.

Cleveland currently has a rather inexperienced wide receivers corps led by Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. Behind them, they’ll be relying heavily on rookie third-round pick David Bell. They would also like to see Anthony Schwartz take off but after his struggles in the preseason, it would be smart to add some insurance.

Westbrook spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars but tore his ACL in 2020, causing him to miss 14 games that year. He joined the Vikings in 2021 and wasn’t the same player we saw with the Jags, but oftentimes, players known for their speed look much better after a full year has passed from such an operation.

Like others on this list, Cleveland could add Westbrook to the practice squad and elevate him should they be impressed with his work, making the risk very minimal.