3 splash free agents the Cleveland Browns should consider on defense
By Greg Newland
With more and more pressure on Andrew Berry to win now, he may look to get aggressive this offseason. Here are 3 splash-free agents he should consider.
After a full weekend of watching the Wildcard Playoff games, the urgency for the Cleveland Browns to get back to the playoffs in 2023 is even higher. Although the games weren’t fantastic, there was still something missing with the Browns sitting at home.
After the third straight season of saying the organization was a total disappointment, more and more pressure is leaning toward Andrew Berry to get things corrected. He already stepped out of his comfort zone by trading six total picks (three first-rounders) for star quarterback, Deshaun Watson, but will he get even more aggressive this offseason?
The Browns are limited in cap space currently, but with a few restructures they are in a situation to bring on at least one big contract this offseason. Here are a few splashy names that Berry should consider to rebuild this defense after the firing of Joe Woods.
Browns Splash Free Agent Target No. 3 – Javon Hargrave, DT
Seven years into his career, Javon Hargrave will be one of the most sought-after defensive tackles in the 2023 free agency class. The Philadelphia Eagles will likely want to keep to dominant big man, but with guys like Darius Slay and Lane Johnson eating up a ton of cap space, there may not be enough money left to retain Hargrave.
This is a guy who is the perfect fit for the Cleveland Browns. Not only is he an excellent gap defender vs. the run, but he also had 11 sacks in 2022 in a career year. At 30 years old he still has a few years before you’ll start to see any decline.
I would think Berry would have an interest because of how poor the Browns are at the position, also the money for such an impact player will be on the lower end because the value for defensive tackles just isn’t there. On the flip side, the “analytics” will say to not overspend at defensive tackle.
Hargrave could find himself in a bidding war, but Berry should be aggressive and at least take a deep look at someone so talented in a position that has been so poor the last three seasons.