Cleveland Browns notable free agents still unsigned

With minicamp now behind them, the Cleveland Browns are off until training camp starts in July. While the players are enjoying their last break before things go full speed, the coaching staff and front office are hard at work trying to perfect their 53-man roster.

General manager Andrew Berry will always remain aggressive, so we shouldn't count out any more moves before the campaign begins. However, it's probably safe to say at this point, they're not going to bring back any of the remaining free agents that were with the club in 2022.

Notable Browns free agents still on the market

Cleveland has clearly gone in a different direction but it's still a little surprising to see so many notable members of the 2022 squad still without a home in 23.

Ronnie Harrison, Jr., Safety

Back in 2020, the Browns needed help at safety following a ruptured Achilles suffered by Grant Delpit. This led to a trade for Ronnie Harrison from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Harrison was exactly what they needed that season as he was constantly around the football. He made several big plays and was a huge reason for the team's improved play on the defensive side of the ball.

But then, things fell off some in 2021. Harrison began the season by getting ejected against the Kansas City Chiefs and never found the rhythm he showed during his first season with the Browns.

Surprisingly, Harrison was re-signed in 2022. It was assumed they would move on following the frustrating season but a need for depth led to the one-year deal.

Again, Harrison was decent, but not the guy we saw early in his Cleveland days. That's why he's still looking — and with Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod, he's not getting a call to rejoin the Browns — unless a major injury occurs.

John Johnson III, Safety

Ronnie Harrison isn't the only Cleveland safety from last year still looking for a job. John Johnson III, who was a huge addition in 2021, is also still on the market.

Johnson began his career with the Los Angeles Rams and was considered one of the top safeties when he hit the open market. Cleveland swooped in, signing him to a three-year deal. Their hope was that JJ3 would solidify the back end of their defense.

While he wasn't bad during his first season, he also wasn't living up to expectations. Then in 2022, he regressed in a major way. What's worse is, he also called out teammates for a lack of effort while simultaneously avoiding tackles in a loss to Baltimore.

Johnson was released in the offseason and Cleveland replaced him with Juan Thornhill and Rodney McLeod. There were rumors the Vikings were interested early in free agency but nothing materialized and he's still waiting for his shot in 2023.

Deion Jones, Linebacker

The Atlanta Falcons wanted to move on from Deion Jones and the Browns needed linebackers after Anthony Walker was lost for the season. That led to a trade that made everyone happy as Jones was sent to Cleveland where they voided out the final year of his deal.

Jones was then able to audition for free agency and he played well for the most part. In 11 games, he had 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks (good enough for third on the team), and an interception. For whatever reason, that wasn't enough to get him a new deal so far this offseason.

Cleveland re-signed Walker as well as Sione Takitaki, so adding Jones feels like a longshot. But if someone else suffered an injury and he was still there, that could change.

Kareem Hunt, Running Back

2020 Kareem Hunt was a lot of fun to watch.

Cleveland gambled on the hometown kid who was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs due to off-field trouble and the move paid off. Hunt not only stayed on the right path away from the game, but he put up some sensational numbers for a No. 2 back.

In 2020, he had 1,145 yards from scrimmage with 11 touchdowns while making five starts in place of an injured Nick Chubb.

Not only did the offense stay on course without Chubb, but Hunt gave them a spark when he would enter the game even when No. 24 came back.

The only issue is, he seems to have lost a step — possibly due to his own style of play.

Hunt is a fearless runner who doesn't avoid contact. He plays with reckless abandon and that led to injuries slowing him down in 2021. He was healthy again in 2022 but was far less explosive, which is why he's still not signed to a roster for the coming season.

Jadeveon Clowney, Defensive End

The No. 1 overall pick in 2014, Jadeveon Clowney has had a productive career but not an elite one — which was expected after his dominant play with the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Clowney, who spent time with Houston, Seattle, and Tennessee, signed with the Browns in 2021. He finished that year with 37 tackles and 9.0 sacks, proving to be a great No. 2 pass rusher across from Myles Garrett.

But then in 2022, his production fell off a cliff. He finished with just 2.0 sacks and was sent home at the end of the year due to comments made about the coaching staff and Garrett.

Clowney never rushes to sign before camp but this time, it feels different. His play last year as well as the negative comments might have hurt his stock much more than he realized.