3 free agents the Cleveland Browns likely won’t consider
By Greg Newland
Even though Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns will likely be aggressive this offseason, there’s no chance they consider these 3 free agents fans want.
We have officially entered the Cleveland Browns offseason, and rumors have already begun on all the free agents that the Cleveland Browns should be trying to sign. It’s hard not to get sucked into the fun of signing every elite player that’s available, but unfortunately, the ones we all want most tend to never happen.
There is no doubt that this team will be looking to upgrade this off-season. Fans are most eager for defensive tackle, wide receiver, and safety. While they aren’t wrong on the positions that certainly need to be upgraded, we can’t act like the cap isn’t a concern.
That and many other factors will be why the Browns likely don’t even look at these three free agents who everyone so desperately wants to be signed.
Free agents the Cleveland Browns are unlikely to consider
Free Agent No. 3 – D.J. Chark, Wide Receiver
One of the more popular names I have heard this offseason tied to the Cleveland Browns is D.J. Chark, who spent the 2022 season with the Detroit Lions. I don’t disagree that Chark shouldn’t be on the Browns’ radar as they do need another receiver, but don’t expect Chark to be the guy for a couple of reasons.
One, someone is going to overpay Chark, and Andrew Berry will have no part of that. Some believe he could get in the $8-10 million per year range coming off a season where he played in 11 games and had 500 yards receiving. Chark had a tremendous second year in the NFL (2019 with Jacksonville) where he had over 1,000 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Other than that, his next-best year is just over 700 yards.
Two, I don’t think Chark is a great fit with the Browns. He’s a taller guy at 6-foot-4 and is a better fit on the outside at the X or Z position. Cleveland already has those two guys with Donovan Peoples-Jones and Amari Cooper which is another reason Berry won’t be willing to overpay.
I think Berry has learned a few lessons over the last three seasons, but I don’t think receiver is a position where he is going to change his strategy and overpay a receiver.