3 Cleveland Browns dream targets in 2023 free agency

Here are 3 free agents the Cleveland Browns can target in the 2023 offseason as they look to get back into the AFC North race

Since Andrew Berry took over as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns, he's earned a reputation as one of the most aggresive GMs in the game. He's gone for big free agents while also pursuing blockbuster trades.

Even so, the team has yet to truly break through. Berry knows they're close though, which is why the Browns are expected to target several players in free agency this offseason — despite salary cap concerns.

Here, we look at three players that would not only be affordable but would fill huge needs for Cleveland.

3 Cleveland Browns dream targets in 2023 free agency

3. Julian Love, Free Safety

Drafted in Round 4 out of Notre Dame, Julian Love spent the first three seasons of his career moving between safety and cornerback for the New York Giants. In 2022, he was allowed to stick with safety for the most part and had nearly 600 snaps in deep coverage as the free safety according to Pro Football Focus.

The analytical site was also very complimentary of his coverage, ranking him as the 26th-highest safety in coverage.

That might not sound like a lot but considering how porous the Browns were in 2022 at covering the deep ball, it would be a massive upgrade. And it wouldn't break the bank to sign Love, the way it would should they go after someone such as Jessie Bates.

Love wouldn't bring the same overall skillset Bates has but he had 124 tackles, five pass defenses, and two picks in 2022. That would be a dream for Cleveland after the struggles they have had at the position.

2. DJ Chark, WR

There was a report recently that the Browns are planning to change their offense up in 2023. Their goal is apparently to throw the ball closer to 40 times per game while limiting Nick Chubb to 12 carries on average.

As is often the case when emotion gets involved, fans revolted. They went as far as to say Cleveland was going to trade Chubb, which was never in the plans. Instead, this is just the way the team was going to be constructed once they spent $230 million on a quarterback — not to mention trading three first-round picks.

As for Chubb, the limit could be great for him. At 12 touches per game, in 17 games, that's still 204 times he would get the ball. Not only could he still do a lot of damage with that but he would also have more juice in the tank when they make a push for the playoffs. Remember, this is all a marathon and not a sprint.

Speaking of sprints, there are times when that type of speed is necessary. And another part of the report on their plans for 2023 suggested Cleveland is going to get another speedster at wide receiver to play alongside Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones. One name that makes a lot of sense, and has a tremendous ceiling, is D.J. Chark.

A sixth-year veteran, Chark comes with some risk. he has played just 15 games the past two seasons but when he's been on the field, he's been a problem for defenses. For the Lions, he had 30 receptions for 502 yards (16.7 yard per reception average) with three touchdowns.

Chark could be interested in a one-year deal to prove he still has it and there are rumors that many free agents want to play with Deshaun Watson. That could make this a perfect match for both parties.

1. David Onyemata, Defensive Tackle

It's no secret that the Cleveland Browns haven't been putting a lot of resources into the middle of their defensive line. While they do have one of the best defensive ends in the NFL in Myles Garrett and paired him with Jadeveon Clowney the past two seasons, it's been a revolving door at defensive tackle.

In 2021, it was Malik McDowell and Malik Jackson that started in the middle. This past season, it was Taven Bryan and Jordan Elliott. None of them has been terrible but they're also not great — especially when it comes to stopping the run.

While it would be nice to see the Browns suddenly go after a 320-pound nose tackle, that's not likely going to be the case. Instead, they'll likely continue to look for more athletic defensive tackles that can rush from the interior. With that being the case, David Onyemata would be an ideal fit.

A fourth-round pick from Manitoba, Onyemata has been with the New Orleans Saints for the past seven years. He's been a quiet producer for the majority of his career but really came into his own in 2020 when he had 44 tackles and 6.5 sacks. This past season, he recorded 43 tackles and five sacks which sets him up nicely for free agency.

Adding him to the Cleveland defensive line would be a huge plus, but he would be the most expensive on this list. But if Berry is serious about making a run, they need an upgrade in the middle and Onyemata gives them that.