3 free agents Cleveland Browns could target at linebacker

2. Reggie Ragland

Reggie Ragland was a leader on the Alabama defense that won a championship in 2015 and did enough for the Buffalo Bills to decide to move up in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Despite being taken 41st overall, he never took a snap for the Bills.

During training camp that year, he suffered a torn ACL and had to spend the season on IR. He returned in 2017 but was unable to beat out Preston Brown and Buffalo decided to then trade him to the Kansas City Chiefs for a fourth-round pick.

Ragland played in Kansas City for three seasons and had 160 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. His final season with the Chiefs was 2019 when he was part of their Super Bowl-winning team.

He then spent one season with the Detroit Lions and then went to the New York Giants in 2021. He had 67 tackles and two pass defenses while playing in all 17 games with nine starts. The veteran linebacker wasn’t retained and is still looking for a home in 2022.

With Walker out, it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to bring Ragland in for a look. He has plenty of starting experience and while he might not be a game-breaker, he’s a player who won’t hurt a defense should he have to be relied upon.