3 Affordable defensive ends Cleveland Browns can target in free agency

Jadeveon Clowney isn’t coming back and Chase Winovich isn’t guaranteed either, so the Cleveland Browns need to kick the tires on these free agents

Jadeveon Clowney did all he could to make sure the Cleveland Browns — and possibly anyone else in the league — won’t be interested in signing him in 2023 when he blamed everyone but himself for a poor campaign. Chase Winovich might also be out as he had just one year on his deal when acquired from New England.

With that being said, the Browns should look to free agency to make sure they have a capable starter, just in case the draft doesn’t fall their way. With the salary cap also a factor, here’s a look at three free agents who could contribute but also won’t break the bank.

3 Affordable defensive ends Cleveland Browns can target in free agency

3. Robert Quinn

At this stage in his career, it’s likely that Robert Quinn is going to be chasing a ring. He nearly got one this year when the Philadelphia Eagles acquired him mid-season.

Quinn began the year in Chicago and wound up playing six games with the Eagles in a reserve role. He finished with just 10 tackles and one sack on the year — with only two tackles coming while he was in Philly.

It was a far cry from the 18.5 sacks he had in 2021. And because of the low numbers, he might not find many options in free agency. That’s why the Browns could still find a way to bring him in as an experienced option across from Myles Garrett.

And if history repeats itself, Quinn should be a solid contributor in 2023. Looking at his past four seasons, he’s followed up slow campaigns with strong ones. He had 6.5 sacks in 2018 with Miami followed by 11.5 with Dallas. Then in his first season with the Bears, he had just two sacks followed by 18.5 and just one.

At 33 years old, he won’t be a full-time starter in 2023 but he can offer a mentor for Alex Wright and is worth a look.

2. Anthony Nelson

In the 2019 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson in the fourth round. A promising player with plenty of size (listed at 6-foot-7 and 271 pounds), Nelson was really quiet throughout his first two seasons in the league.

In 27 games, he had just 26 tackles and one sack. Then in 2021, he started to get more involved as he had 22 tackles and five sacks. He followed that up with his best season as a pro, recording 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Bucs.

While he did play in 57 percent of the snaps this past season, Tampa Bay might not be able to bring him back. Right now, they’re in a very tight cap situation and will have to make some tough cuts just to get under the limit. That means someone such as the Cleveland Browns can come in and try to lure Nelson away.

Nelson would likely get a decent contract but he’s not going to be breaking the bank. Still, he’s someone that can serve as a capable starter until the coaching staff feels comfortable starting either Alex Wright or a rookie they select in the upcoming draft.

Decent against both the run and the pass, Nelson would be an under-the-radar signing but could pay off.

1. Dante Fowler, Jr.

Dante Fowler, Jr. gets a bad rap as a draft bust since he never lived up to his status as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft but he’s not a bad player.

The veteran defensive end missed his entire rookie campaign due to a torn ACL but has put together a decent career since then. In seven seasons, he’s played in 108 games with 40 starts. Primarily serving as a pass-rushing specialist, Fowler has 227 career tackles and 41 sacks.

His best campaign was in 2019 when he had 11.5 sacks for the Los Angeles Rams but he’s fresh off another solid year. Playing in a rotation for the Dallas Cowboys, Fowler appeared in all 17 games and had 27 tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles.

Now a free agent, it’s likely he could hit the open market since Dallas will want to see Sam Williams get more reps in year two. That could open the door for Cleveland to land Fowler but as Jacob Roach of Browns Wire says, his addition would mean a lot in the pass-rushing department but very little against the run.

"“Fowler isn’t much of a factor in the run game but he would be a clear upgrade at the number three defensive end on the team. An explosive athlete of the line of scrimmage Fowler got a 77 pass-rushing grade from PFF last year. He finished with 36 total pressures and six sacks in 227 pass-rush snaps.” — Roach, Browns Wire"

His lack of run-stuffing shouldn’t be a major concern. Instead, Cleveland should feel comfortable using Alex Wright as the starter on early downs knowing they can put Fowler in on third downs, and he should be able to deliver.

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