The NFL calendar is about to change to a new year which means all the deals announced over the past couple of days can be finalized. The Cleveland Browns were busy during this legal tampering period as they agreed to terms with a few outside free agents and extended some of their own players.
Now, let's be honest about one thing — the idea of a legal tampering period might be one of the worst the NFL has come up with. Since players and teams were discussing contracts before free agency began, they decided to make this legal for two days before free agency — but no one could agree to deals. So now instead of deals being signed within one minute of free agency being open, we now have deals being agreed to within one minute.
Still, this is how we operate and since it gets people talking, it will likely never change. With that out of the way, let's take some time to look back at what the Browns did during this period and hand out their grades for each move.
Browns re-signings
Za'Darius Smith, EDGE, Two-Years, $23.5 million: B+
Za'Darius Smith was a great fit in this defense and re-signing him will help keep the pressure off of Myles Garrett. Expect Smith to surpass his 5.5 sack total from 2023 — he was a disruptive force all year but just didn't always get home. The only reason this isn't an A is the money. It might sound like nit-picking, but there are a lot of people over $10 million on both sides of the ball. Still, a B+ is a great grade.
Maurice Hurst, DT, One-Year, $3.2 million: A
There's a risk with Maurice Hurst due to his injury history but the Browns protected themselves with the low price on this one Hurst has talent far superior to the $3.2 million, making this a win.
Shelby Harris, DT, Two-Years, $9 million: A-
Again, it might be nitpicking but the minus on this A- is simply the addition of a second year. Shelby Harris was really good in 2023 but he will be 33 this season. A one-year deal might have been better but in the end, if this is what it took to sign him, do it.
Michael Dunn, G, One-Year (Terms Undisclosed): A
Unless it comes back that Michael Dunn is being paid starter money, this is an A. He's not an elite player but if a guard goes down, he can fill in and the offense stays on task. He's also capable of playing tackle in a pinch. Great depth piece.
Browns outside additions
In addition to signing a few of their own guys, the Browns came to terms with a couple of outside free agents. The biggest name was easily Jameis Winston, but he's not the best player they agreed to terms with. Let's dive in and see who they landed during the tampering window.
Jameis Winston, QB, One-Year, $8.7 million: B
At first glance, it seemed this was a worse deal than it is. Early reports said this was a one-year deal worth $8.7 million, which seemed like a lot. But considering their $235 million quarterback played 12 games in two years, it was an annoying necessity.
However, Tom Pelissero reported that the deal for Jameis Winston has a base of $4 million. That's much more managable, keeping this at a B.
When Jameis Winston's one-year deal is finalized to become the #Browns' backup QB, it's expected to include a base value of $4 million guaranteed with upside. The third NFL stop for Winston, who has 80 career starts and now slots in as Deshaun Watson’s backup in Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/Uq8qNsV8sE
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
What keeps this from being an A is the fact that Winston has a shady past that everyone wants to gloss over. He's goofy and makes people laugh but the accusations while at Tallahassee and then again in the NFL were ugly. The PR hit won't be as bad for Winston though, since people seem to ignore this.
Nyheim Hines, RB, One-Year, $3.5 million: C+
Nick Chubb is coming off a torn ACL and MCL. Nyheim Hines is coming off a torn ACL. Yes, he has talent — and can return kicks — but the Browns have two backs coming off a serious knee injury and Jerome Ford. That's not ideal.
Jordan Hicks, LB, Two-Years, $8 million: A
This might have been their best move of the offseason and it hardly made a sound. Jordan Hicks is one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL and he has experience with Jim Schwartz. The two were together in Philadelphia — Hicks was ever on the roster in 2017 when they won it all.
Losing Anthony Walker was expected. Losing Sione Takitaki hurt. But adding Jordan Hicks and his 874 career tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 13 picks is an upgrade.
Hakeem Adeniji, OT, One-Year (Terms Undisclosed): C+
This was nothing more than a depth piece but since Hakeem Adeniji has 15 career starts, it's not a bad one. He just hasn't seen the field much as of late with zero offensive snaps in 2023 and just 220 in 2022.
Browns overall grade for tampering period
In addition to the gains, and extensions, Cleveland lost a few players. Let's check that out before assigning the final grade.
Jordan Elliott, DT, San Francisco 49ers: Two-Years, $10 million: Winner, Browns
Jordan Elliott indeed showed progress in year four but it's surprising to see he's making more per year than both Maurice Hurst and Shelby Harris. Elliott was the fourth-best defensive tackle in Cleveland, making this a deal the Browns weren't going to do.
Sione Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots: Two-Years, $6.65 million: Winner, Patriots
This is a tough loss. Sione Takitaki is a sure-tackler and is solid against the run. Having him, JOK, and Jordan Hicks would have been great. And he didn't break the bank, so it would have been a good signing for them.
Anthony Walker, LB, Miami Dolphins: One-Year (Undisclosed): Winner, Browns
It was time for Anthony Walker to head elsewhere. He was a great veteran leader but the injuries were too concerning.
Michael Ford, CB, Houston Texans: Two-Years, $4.5 million: Winner, Texans
This loss could be an issue. Michael Ford is an underrated defender who was one of the better special teams players Cleveland had in 2023. Houston had a phenomenal two days and landing Ford was a move no one talked about — but it could pay off.
Browns overall grade: B+
Overall, the Browns had a good couple of days. They made sure they have a starting defensive line and there are two linebackers they feel very good about. Even if Jameis Winston isn't as popular as Joe Flacco, he's capable of winning games in this offense.
Looking ahead, it would be nice to see another running back added and perhaps a linebacker who is capable of starting. They could even stand to locate another ace for their special teams to replace Ford.