5 Free Agent safeties the Cleveland Browns could target in 2023
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns Safety FA Target No. 2: Mike Edwards, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a lot of decisions to make this offseason due to limitations with cap space. Mike Edwards, one of their safeties is going in the free agency and could be on the Browns’ radar if they’re looking to sign a solid contributor to the secondary.
Edwards recently had the game of his career when his team played the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs. He racked up 10 tackles and seemed to be very active for the Bucs. For the season, Edwards had 82 tackles to go along with one interception, several pass deflections, and one sack. He has had seven interceptions in his career as well.
With the Buccaneers trying to decide what they’re going to do with their team because of their enormous negative numbers in terms of cap space, Edwards could be there for the taking. The cost would be more reasonable than some of the other candidates were talking about today as well.
Some projections have him on a deal that we gave him maybe $5 to $7 million a year right now.
Cleveland Browns Safety FA Target No. 1: Marcus Epps, Philadelphia Eagles
Marcus Epps has had quite the season for the Philadelphia Eagles, who are surging toward the Super Bowl at the moment. He had 94 tackles on the season including four for losses. He also has six pass deflections and one forced fumble.
2022 was the first season the former sixth-round pick from Wyoming was a full-time starter. A former Minnesota Viking, Epps might not be ready to leave considering he plays for a Super Bowl-contending team — but then again, it’s hard for such franchises to pay everyone.
Still, the Browns have had some success in signing some big-name players under Andrew Berry and the addition of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator could intrigue Epps, who would be given a huge role. He’s another young player with a lot of upside and that’s something that the Browns are searching for.
There is a plethora of other free-agent safeties available this offseason, so while this is a starting list of players for the Browns to take a look at there are many other options to consider. A familiar name in M.J. Stewart as well as a divisional foe in Terrell Edmunds are a couple of other names to watch as well.
