Plenty of Cleveland Browns players are set to hit free agency in 2023, but these four have actually hurt their impending free-agent stock.
Every year in the NFL, there are decisions made to not bring back certain players. There are a handful of players on the current Cleveland Browns roster that will not be back in 2023 and some that have hurt their stock heading into the free agency period in about three months.
It’s hard to see a scenario in which these four players can increase their stock, with the exception of being a major contributor in the midst of an unlikely playoff push. With that being said, most of the impending free agents should have a pretty good idea if they have a chance of returning next season or if they’ll find themselves in some new threads.
Here are the four Browns who have hurt their impending free-agent stock heading into the 2023 offseason.
4 Browns Who Have Hurt Their Impending Free Agent Stock
4: Chase Winovich, EDGE
Back in March, general manager Andrew Berry sent linebacker Mack Wilson to the New England Patriots in exchange for EDGE rusher Chase Winovich to add some depth to the EDGE position. It was a chance for both players to get a change of scenery and a fresh start.
Winiovich is a former 2019 third-round pick by the Patriots and in 2022, he has not seen the field as much as was the hope when the trade was made.
In just five games with the Browns, Winovich has compiled four combined tackles (three solo), two quarterback hits, and a pass deflection which happened to turn into an interception returned for a touchdown by linebacker Tony Fields II.
The trade simply did not pan out for Cleveland and Winovich will likely be in search of his third team come 2023.
No. 3: Ronnie Harrison Jr., Safety
When the Browns traded for safety Ronnie Harrison Jr. ahead of the 2020 season, it was one of those moves where many thought he could find a spot on the field with the defense and improve that unit as somewhat of a reclamation project. He had a strong campaign with the Browns, after being drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
In 2021, he had a down year, but it wasn’t enough for Cleveland to let him go. Instead, the team re-signed him back in April with the hopes he could return to 2020 for. Unfortunately, for both Harrison and the Browns, that has simply not been the case this year.
In Week 1, Harrison got a half-sack on former teammate, Baker Mayfield. Outside of that, he has failed to sniff the quarterback, granted he isn’t the guy that blitzes are dialed up for. He has 22 combined tackles, with 15 being solo tackles. He has yet to record an interception and has only one pass deflection.
He has let up 10 receptions on 16 targets for 81 yards but has not allowed a touchdown to this point. Sadly, that likely won’t be enough for him to make a return to Cleveland in 2023, and will likely seek his third team in his sixth professional season.
Cleveland was hoping Harrison could play free safety, but that isn’t where he thrives and the team will likely be looking for a true FS in the offseason either in free agency or the draft.
2. D’Ernest Johnson, Running Back
Remember when the Browns had a lethal running back room and many said all in the room would be starters or at the very least, viable backups around the NFL? That seems like a distant memory. Outside of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, none of the rest of the room was going to be filled as either of those options.
D’Ernest Johnson had a very productive 2021 season when his number was called due to either injury or Covid-19. He rushed for 534 yards and three touchdowns on 100 carries and also caught 19 of 25 targets for 137 yards.
Many believed this would propel him to a true backup spot on another roster, but as it panned out, no other team really showed much interest and he returned to Cleveland for around $1 million. This had fans excited as they saw his potential last season, but in 2022, that simply has not occurred.
Johnson has just four rushes for 17 yards to go along with three catches on three targets for a measly seven yards. The undrafted running back has not been needed this season as Chubb and Hunt have remained on the field. Even when he is used on special teams, he has one kick return for 27 yards.
Jack Duffin of 24/7 Sports believes that Johnson will either re-sign with the Browns or find a new home for roughly $1.5 million. Had he been a viable option in this offense, that number could have been increased, but unfortunately for Johnson, that has not been the case.
No. 1: Kareem Hunt, Running Back
Since arriving in Cleveland back in 2019, Kareem Hunt has been toting the rock alongside Nick Chubb and the tandem was dubbed the best one-two punch in the NFL. The two backs complient each other wonderfully, but in 2022, Hunt has seemed to be stuck in first gear.
Back in August, Hunt requested a trade. The Browns did not acquiesce to that request, wanting to keep him alongside Chubb. He clearly wanted an extension to stay with his hometown team, but that was likely never going to happen, or at least for the money he would have wanted.
Instead, Cleveland hung onto Hunt hoping he could get back to 2020 form after dealing with injuries most of 2021. That just hasn’t been the case this season and in turn, Hunt has hurt his impending free-agent stock.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Hunt will likely be on his third team in his sixth professional season. Many teams around the league will look to sign him and either make him a starter or put him alongside their own starter.
During this season, Hunt just hasn’t looked the same as he has rushed 110 times for 447 yards and three touchdowns while averaging a career-worst 4.1 yards per carry. He used to be a force in the passing game but has only caught 28 passes for 182 yards and a single touchdown.
Fans won’t want to see him go as he is a favorite, but the NFL is a business, and business decisions are made each and every year. Hunt likely won’t get the money he will command, but there is a slim chance a team gives him what he wants. That team will not be the Browns, so if he does return in 2023, he will have to accept a lesser contract.