While Wednesday was the first official day of free agency, the Cleveland Browns had already come to terms with two in-house free agents and two outside additions on Monday and Tuesday, bringing in defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and EDGE Ogbo Okoronkwo.
They kept that positive momentum going as they added Juan Thornhill on Monday, landing a top-flight free safety. They also added Maurice Hurst, which is a low-risk, high-reward move due to his recent issues with staying healthy.
While those moves shored up a lot of holes on the roster, there are still some moves to be made. Here, we dive in and check out the top three remaining needs for the Browns.
Cleveland Browns need No. 3: Tight End
Available Options in free agency
Donald Parham
Foster Moreau
Robert Tonyan
Irv Smith
O.J. Howard
With David Njoku under contract, it's easy to look past the lack of depth at tight end. Njoku is coming off the best season of his career and is expected to take another step forward with Deshaun Watson under center for the entire year.
However, the depth behind him is questionable. Harrison Bryant wasn't great in the TE2 role during 2022 and Cleveland has shown interest in several players, including Donald Parham and Foster Moreau.
A couple of former high draft picks that failed to live up to expectations are out there as well with Irv Smith (second-round pick) and O.J. Howard (first-round pick) looking for new homes.
In addition to the free agents still available, this 2023 draft class is loaded at the position as well. There's no need to panic but Cleveland should add at least one more player at the position.
Cleveland Browns need No. 2: Defensive Tackle
Available Options in free agency
Matthew Ioannidis
A'Shawn Robinson
Poona Ford
Johnathan Hankins
Adding Dalvin Tomlinson was a major win for Cleveland. As good as it would have been to bring Dre'Mont Jones home, Tomlinson actually fills a greater need as a run-stuffer. He offers more as a pass rusher than he gets credit for as well but his main job is going to be eating blocks so Myles Garrett and Okoronkwo can get home while eliminating the 200-plus yard rushing games.
As good as that move was, the Browns need two starters at defensive tackle, especially with Taven Bryan leaving in free agency. Tomlinson played the 3-tech with Minnesota but can perform as a nose tackle as well, so he gives them options. Still, it would be nice to see another player capable of stopping the run.
A few names out there that are intriguing include A'Shawn Robinson, who was a teammate of Tomlinson's at Alabama for three years, Poona Ford, and Johnathan Hankins.
There's also Matthew Ioannidis, a criminally underrated 310-pound defensive tackle who spent six seasons in Washington before heading to Carolina in 2022. He's also known for stopping the run but had 7.5 sacks in 2018 and 8.5 in 2019 for Washington. He wouldn't break the bank either while giving Cleveland a powerful interior line.
Cleveland Browns need No. 1: Wide Receiver
Available Options in free agency
Adam Thielen
D.J. Chark
Parris Campbell
Darius Slayton
Mecole Hardman
Richie James
Potential trade targets
Elijah Moore, New York Jets
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
With several defensive players added, the top need remaining for Cleveland after the first big wave of free agency is at wide receiver. They do have the good fortune of having two very capable options in Amari Cooper (78 receptions, 1,160 yards, 9 touchdowns) and Donovan Peoples-Jones (61 receptions, 839 yards, 3 touchdowns) but beyond that, there was a lot to be desired.
What the Browns lacked most was someone who could truly stretch the field. They hoped Anthony Schwartz could do that but he's been a disappointment thus far. If they wanted to replace him with another deep threat, Mecole Hardman or Darius Slayton could be options in free agency. They could also look at Richie James, who has incredible speed and can play in the slot.
Another option in the slot would be Parris Campbell, a former Ohio State star. They could also look to Adam Thielen as another versatile receiver who could move all over the field — as Cooper can — but he won't add much speed at this point in his career.
Of course, trades are on the table as well. The Browns are rumored to be interested in Jerry Jeudy but they could also make a play for Elijah Mitchell. DeAndre Hopkins is there as well and he has experience with Deshaun Watson but that one feels like the longest of long shots.