4 Big-name free agents linked to Cleveland Browns in 2023 offseason

The Cleveland Browns are ready to make some moves in free agency as they're being linked to some big-name players this offseason

With free agency just around the corner, the rumors are starting to come rolling in. The good news for those who root for the orange and brown is that the Cleveland Browns are expected to be big players this offseason.

General manager Andrew Berry is said to be looking for a couple of defensive starters and right now, these four big-name players are being linked to them.

4 Big-name free agents linked to Cleveland Browns in 2023 offseason

4. Dre'Mont Jones, DT

While many Cleveland fans also root for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Browns front office hasn't traditionally gone out of their way to sign Buckeyes. Of course, Denzel Ward is one of the top players on the Browns defense but outside of him, there aren't many OSU products to be found.

That could change this year should they decide to go after Dre'Mont Jones who is about to hit the open market. And once he does, Andrew Berry is expected to kick the tires.

Looking into Jones makes a lot of sense for the Browns since he's capable of playing defensive tackle as well as defensive end. He's been a force in Denver, with 133 tackles and 22 sacks in his first four seasons and would be a huge upgrade on the defensive line for Cleveland.

The one question with Jones is going to be his asking price. Rumors suggest he wants nearly $20 million per season, which is pretty steep for a franchise that's shied away from paying defensive tackles. Having said that, this is similar to the money Javon Hargrave will command and while Cleveland has also been linked to him, Jones is much younger and still an ascending player.

3. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S

With Ronnie Harrison set for free agency, and John Johnson recently being released, the Browns are really thin at safety right now. They still believe in Grant Delpit and the former second-round pick was coming on strong as the 2022 campaign came to an end. Even so, they need more depth and that's why it's no surprise multiple safeties have been linked to them.

One such player is C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who was a beast at Florida but somehow lasted until the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. That's where the New Orleans Saints came calling and he had three strong sessons with them, moving all over the field.

CGJ lined up at safety, slot cornerback, and even in a hybrid-linebacker role for the Saints — which is impressive considering he's all of 5-foot-11 and 210-pounds. Still, no matter where they asked him to line up, he did his job and did it well.

That's why it was a bit of a surprise when he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles along with a future seventh-round pick for a fifth and two sixth-round picks. Philly clearly win this trade as he recorded 67 tackles and six sacks in just 12 games — and still led the league in picks despite missing the final five contests.

He returned for the playoffs and had four tackles in the Super Bowl but now hits the open market. The Eagles would likely want him to return but he should be able to test his value and Cleveland is one of the teams expected to get in on the action.

2. Jessie Bates III, S

C.J. Gardner-Johnson isn't the only safety being linked to Cleveland and he's also not the biggest name. That belongs to Jessie Bates III, who has spent the past five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Originally a second-round pick out of Wake Forest, Bates burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2018 with 111 tackles and three picks. He's continued to put up insane numbers and has 479 tackles, 14 interceptions, three forced fumbles, and 43 pass defenses in his career.

Bates is also a better fit for the Browns, who released John Johnson III after he was unable to provide them with a consistent threat as a centerfield-type safety. Bates, on the other hand, excels in this role which is why it makes sense that he's been on their radar since the season ended.

Cincinnati was unable to come to terms with Bates on an extension last year and he wound up playing on the franchise tag, which wasn't always a sure thing. There were rumors leading up to the start of the year that he could be traded but in the end, he spent one more season in the jungle but now appears to be on the way out.

With an estimated price tag north of $14 million, it won't be cheap to sign Bates but it's really not much more than they were paying Johnson. Should they be willing to restructure a few other deals, this could be a possibility.

1. Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE

Out of all the names being thrown around ahead of free agency, none makes as much sense as Yannick Ngakoue. Not only does the pass-rushing specialist fill a great need for Cleveland, but the two sides had mutual interest back in 2020 according to Mary Kay Cabot.

At that time, Ngakoue was hit with the franchise tag and was looking for a trade partner. He switched agents and when talks broke down, Ngakoue was traded to the Minnesota Vikings who then traded him to the Baltimore Ravens after just six games.

From there, he spent one season with the Las Vegas Raiders who signed him to a two-year deal worth up to $26 million. He finished out that contract in Indianapolis as the Colts landed him in exchange for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.

So with five teams under his belt already — and four of them coming in the past three years — Ngakoue is likely ready to sign somewhere he can call home. For the Browns, they're ready to sign someone to a fair deal, similar to what Jadeveon Clowney was making, and put an end to the search for the No. 2 pass rusher across from Myles Garrett.

Ngakoue would surely provide this. Even with his constant change of scenery, he has 65 sacks in seven seasons with 19.5 coming in the past two years. He's also never had fewer than eight in a single campaign.