Right now, the Cleveland Browns are getting a lot of praise for their work in free agency. The good news is, this feels like the right kind of praise where they filled holes and made solid, smart signings. Not like the times when they would make headlines for winning with huge contracts for players such as Kenny Britt or Dante Whitner.
With that being the case, there will be winners on the field as well including returning members of the team who no longer have to carry unnecesry weight. Here we look at the three current Browns who benefit the most from the moves general manager Andrew Berry has made in the early stages of 2023 NFL Free Agency.
Browns benefiting from free agency: No. 3 - Deshaun Watson
After using three picks in Round 1 and then signing him to a $230 million contract, it would have made sense for Cleveland to use as many resources as possible to help Deshaun Watson. Thus far, they really haven't done that.
But that doesn't mean they did nothing so far to help him out.
In fact, Cleveland made two underrated moves with Watson in mind. The first was re-signing Ethan Pocic to a three-year deal. No position on the offensive line is as underrated as center, so keeping Pocic, who was one of the best in 2022, will be a major plus.
Cleveland also added tight end Jordan Akins, who worked alongside Watson for three seasons in Houston. Tight ends are often security blankets for a quarterback and the Browns have a strong combination now with Akins backing up David Njoku.
Browns benefiting from free agency: No. 2 - Denzel Ward, CB
Taken at No. 4 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Denzel Ward was actually their second selection as they went with Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall. Now in 2023, he's outlasted Mayfield but still hasn't claimed the top spot when it comes to selections from that year thanks to Nick Chubb.
While Chubb is the more popular player, Ward has held his own. He even did enough to earn a massive five-year extension worth $100.5 million before the start of this past season. As fate would have it, Ward then turned in one of the least efficient performances of his career.
The Ohio State product had good numbers with 53 tackles and three picks but it seemed as though he gambled far too often which resulted in his man breaking free for a big gain. Ward was then criticized for not taking the blame, often defending himself and saying he knew what his assignment was.
In the end, he might have been correct. Perhaps Ward was given the green light to attack the ball with the expectation that he had safety help over the top. The problem was, the Browns safeties were far from effective in 2022.
The good news for Ward, and the rest of the corners in Cleveland, is that Juan Thornhill was added in free agency and he's much better suited for the single-high role than John Johnson III was. His presence should give Ward the same freedoms while limiting the impact on him making the wrong bet when gambling on the pass.
Browns benefiting from free agency: No. 1 - Myles Garrett, EDGE
Some of the moves made in free agency really won't bode well for current members of the Browns defensive line. Tommy Togiai and Jordan Elliott each have to feel as though they're on notice following a flurry of defensive tackle signings. But that's not the case for everyone on the front four.
While some of the younger players know they have to step up to earn a roster spot, Myles Garrett is going to welcome the new faces with open arms. At just 27 years of age, Garrett is already the franchise leader in sacks with 74.5 in his first six NFL seasons.
He also has the individual season record for Cleveland with 16 — which he recorded in both 2021 and 2022.
To put it simply, he's been one of the most dominant pass rushers in the entire league. However, he's also rarely had consistent help on the line.
Players such as Jadeveon Clowney, Olivier Vernon, and Sheldon Richardson have all been there at one time or another but outside of Richardson, those players weren't always durable. This is why Garrett has to love the addition of Dalvin Tomlinson, who will be a major presence at defensive tackle.
Not only will he draw attention, but Ogbo Okoronkwo is also a huge addition that Garrett will benefit from. An ascending pass-rusher, Okoronkwo had his best season in 2022 with the Texans and is set to be the No. 2 pass rusher in Cleveland.
Don't be surprised if the added talent — coupled with the arrival of Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator — leads to the best season we've seen yet from Garrett.