Cleveland Browns 2023 free agency primer: Main targets, internal free agents

The NFL legal tampering period might be one of the dumbest rules in the league but it's here. For some reason, the league thinks it's a good idea to allow teams to negotiate deals 48 hours before free agency opens, but doesn't allow them to actually sign those contracts. What this actually accomplishes, no one knows. But instead of just starting free agency on Monday, the Cleveland Browns and the rest of the league will have to wait until Wednesday at 4:00 pm EST to officially sign anyone.

With all that being said, here's a last-minute look at the Browns needs, pending free agents, and potential targets ahead of 2023 NFL Free Agency.

Cleveland Browns lack of cap space is no issue in 2023

Right now, the Browns aren't looking too hot in terms of cap space. They're currently in the third-worst shape in the league at more than $14 million in the red according to OverTheCap.com. The only teams worse are the Buffalo Bills ($19.1 million in the hole) and the New Orleans Saints ($25.2 million over).

But before we panic, just remember that the cap is far from a hard number. Take the Saints for example. They're constantly in "cap hell" but still managed to sign Derek Carr to a four-year deal worth $150 million. There's also the Dallas Cowboys, who were well in the red one week ago but enter free agency with more than $14 million to spend after shifting roster bonuses around for two players.

Cleveland is expected to do the same as Andrew Berry said they'll look at restructuring Deshaun Watson's contract, which currently accounts for $55 million. They can free up an estimated $33.7 million by restructuring his deal as well as $12 million by moving the bonus for Myles Garrett and $14 million with Amari Cooper.

There will be those who are against this philosophy, saying the bill comes due one day, but that's also a myth. Teams such as the Saints continue to kick the can down the road and when they do have a season with a lot of dead money, they simply give out longer "void years" to allow them to pay for players for years after they're gone.

It's unfamiliar territory, which is why there may be some nerves in the Dawg Pound, but competetive teams have been doing this for years. Just be glad the Browns finally have a GM savvy enough to work the cap and aggressive enough to actually try and build a competetive roster — rather than saving cap space and worrying about the future.

Cleveland Browns Internal Free Agents

Right now, the Cleveland Browns have several pending free agents who played a vital role during the 2022 season. The biggest names being tossed around are Jadeveon Clowney and Kareem Hunt but there are other major contributors including Ethan Pocic and Jacoby Brissett.

Here's a quick look at who is currently set to hit the open market as both unrestricted free agents (meaning Cleveland can't match any offers from other teams) and restricted free agents (who can be retained if the Browns want to match any offer sheet they sign.

Pending unrestricted free agents

Jacoby Brissett, QB
Kareem Hunt, RB
D'Ernest Johnson, RB
Ethan Pocic, C
Chris Hubbard, OL
Jesse James, TE
Pharaoh Brown, TE
Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Chase Winovich, DE
Stephen Weatherly, DE
Taven Bryan, DT
Deion Jones, LB
Anthony Walker, Jr., LB
Sione Takitaki, LB
Jordan Kunaszyk, LB
Greedy Williams, CB
Ronnie Harrison, S

Pending restricted free agents

Michael Dunn, OT
Chris Odom, DE
A.J. Green, CB

Brissett would be welcomed back for sure as the No. 2 quarterback behind Deshaun Watson but he likely played himself out of town. Cleveland was just 4-7 with him as the starter but they lost several close games that could have gone either way. In all, Brissett completed 64 percent of his attempts for 2,608 yards with 12 touchdowns and six picks.

There should be a few teams in need of stop-gap starters willing to give him a shot. However, if that doesn't come to fruition, look for the Browns to see if he would be willing to return. It's hard to find a trusted backup and he's one of the best in the game.

Pocic is another who probably played his way out of Cleveland. He filled in for an injured Nick Harris and was one of the top centers in the game. Harris is still unproven but he's young, affordable, and the coaching staff still believes he's a starter.

If there were any free agents the Browns had to try and keep, that would include A.J. Green and Sione Takitaki. Outside of those two, the rest could be replaced — even Anthony Walker, who is a solid starter but has had issues staying healthy over the past two seasons.

Cleveland Browns top outside free agent targets

Once again, Andrew Berry is expected to be aggressive in the offseason as he aims to turn the Browns into a contending franchise. And with the current holes on this roster, he's going to need to be aggressive.

Right now, the Browns top needs are as follows:

Wide Receiver
Defensive Tackle
Defensive End
Safety
Linebacker
Tight End

It might not be commonplace to see wide receiver listed as the top need but it is. Yes, they have Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones but that doesn't mean they're set at the position. Behind those two, the options are less than ideal and if we're being honest, DPJ is far from consistent enough to be penciled in as WR2 once again without contest.

Outside of that, the offense is solid but could look for a TE3 or even someobe to compete with Harrison Bryant for the second spot.

Defensively, there are holes everywhere. This roster quickly went from one that was seen as a potential top-five unit to one of the worst in the league. We were all guilty of over-rating many of the starters but there were some serious underpeformers as well. That includes Jadeveon Clowney, Taven Bryan, and Chase Winovich who are likely all gone. There was also John Johnson III, who has been released.

Cleveland Browns top free agent targets

There have been several names linked to the Browns and to highlight how big of a need wideout is, this has been the top position they're said to be targeting. Here's a quick look at who they are said to be eyeing on both sides of the ball.

Offensive targets

Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
D.J. Chark, WR, Detroit Lions
Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, Los Angeles Rams
Parris Campbell, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Hayden Hurst, TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Foster Moreau, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Trade Targets

Elijah Moore, WR, New York Jets
Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

Defensive targets

Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Minnesota Vikings
Sheldon Rankins, DT, New York Jets
Javon Hargrave, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Poona Ford, DT, Seattle Seahawks
Bobby Okereke, LB, Indianapolis Colts
Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Jessie Bates, S, Cincinnati Bengals
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S, Philadelphia Eagles

Chances are high they won't be able to land the high-priced targets such as Jessie Bates or Javon Hargrave but don't be surprised to see a couple of these potential starters land in Cleveland. Also, continue to keep an eye on Elijah Moore. He fills every need they have for a wide receiver and could be a draft-day trade if they strike out in free agency.