Many Cleveland Browns fans want Andrew Berry to sign all the free agents, but here are three they should avoid.
After three offseasons in a row where we have seen the Cleveland Browns be aggressive in free agency, 2023 will be slightly different. At a quick glance, the team isn't in great shape with the cap as they are in the red currently. I will say, a couple of restructures and cuts that are expected will put the Browns in pretty good shape to make a few moves.
However, I’m not sure how aggressive you will see Andrew Berry be this offseason. On one hand, he will be desperate for a strong 2023 after trading a ton of assets for Deshaun Watson, but he also must be cautious not to overspend on veterans who are past their prime.
Browns fans are constantly screaming to sign the top three free agents every offseason, but unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees. Not only that, sometimes the biggest name doesn’t bring the biggest production. Here are three players the Browns should avoid signing that some fans want.
Player No. 3 - Marcus Davenport, DE
Don’t get me wrong, the Browns need help at defensive end with Jadeveon Clowney likely gone, but let’s pump the breaks on Marcus Davenport for a minute. I’ll admit, I thought it felt like a good fit, but the more I dig, the less I love this.
First, the injuries have been brutal for Davenport. In five seasons he has yet to play in every single game, missing a total of 19 games. One of the biggest assets you can have as a free agent is being available. Production is great, but when you can’t stay on the field, it’s hard to justify a contract.
My biggest reason for not loving Davenport, the production hasn’t been there consistently either. Yes, he had nine sacks in 2021, but he has a total of 8 sacks in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
The free agency class for pass-rushers is weak this offseason which is alarming. There's no doubt the Browns need help, but Davenport who is a former first-round pick will likely get overpaid and have minimal production on his new team.
Player No. 2 – Robert Woods, WR
The latest fan request for the Cleveland Browns is signing Robert Woods who was recently cut from the Tennessee Titans. Woods is a 10-year vet who has been with the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, and Titans throughout his career.
After back-to-back strong seasons with the Rams in 2018 and 2019 where he went over 1,000 yards per year, Woods has dropped production back once again. In 2022 he had 53 receptions for 527 yards and only two touchdowns.
I’m not saying Woods wouldn’t be a great third wide receiver for the Browns or even second and push Donovan Peoples-Jones to no. 3, but the money it would cost to get him would put you in the same situation you had with Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry. A group of three wide receivers making far too much money for the production you are getting.
Remember, in 2020 Woods signed a four-year, $65 million contract extension with the Rams and has since been traded and cut. I’m not saying if you can get Woods for $7 or $8 million per year you don’t do it, but I would think someone out there is going to spend $10 million to get him.
Woods is a solid player, but he is another one of these wide receivers who will get massively overpaid in free agency, and be looking for a new home as early as 2024.
Player No. 1 – Daron Payne, DT
One area where the Cleveland Browns desperately need to upgrade is at defensive tackle. For the last three seasons, I have been begging and pleading for Berry to make a high-profile move, but it’s yet to happen.
All the poor play has made fans even more desperate for a big move and has put Daron Payne on their wish list. Payne is likely the biggest defensive line free agent in 2023 because of the weakness at defensive end.
Again, I have zero issues with Payne, but I do struggle with how much money it would take to get him, and think there is a chance for some production drop-off. The Commander's defensive line is stacked, and even though Payne had 11.5 sacks last year, he only had 14.5 additional sacks in the previous three seasons with the team.
I’m not saying Payne isn’t an extremely improved player, but a salary of $20 million per year at that position is unheard of. Remember, the Browns already have Denzel Ward, Myles Garrett, Deshaun Watson, David Njoku, and Nick Chubb earning big dollars in 2023.
As much as I want the Browns to improve the position, spending this much money on one player would be a mistake. While the edge rusher market is weak in 2023, there are several defensive tackles who could make a huge difference on the Browns roster. The fact that Berry could fill a huge void with $7 million instead of $20 million, it’s an easy pass on Payne.