CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Browns continue to bolster their defense in the second wave of free agency.
On Friday night, they reached a one-year deal with former Eagles striker Malik Jackson, 31, a league source confirmed. Jackson (6-5, 290) was launched this week by the Eagles to make room for capture. He had 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season.
A 10th-year pro, Jackson took the Pro Bowl in 2017 when he was with the Jaguars. He was originally a Broncos fifth-round pick in 2012 outside the USC. Jackson is the internal striker who pressures QB. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson’s pass-rush productivity was tied for 22nd out of 128 qualifying defensive tackles.
He recorded 267 tackles, 35 sacks, six forced fumbles and 25 passing deflections. Jackson played for the 2012-15 Broncos, the 2016-18 Jaguars and the 2019-20 Eagles.
After being released by the Jaguars in 2019, Jackson signed a three-year, $ 30 million contract with the Eagles. But at the 2019 debut against Washington, he suffered a foot injury to Lisfranc and was placed on reserve by injury for the season.
Last season, Jackson played 15 games, registering 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks and two pass separations.
During this period of free agency, the Browns also signed safety John Johnson III, defensive forward Takk McKinley, cornerback Troy Hill and middle linebacker Anthony Walker. They also rehired linebacker Malcolm Smith.
Jackson joins a tackle rotation that includes Sheldon Richardson, Jordan Elliott and Andrew Billings, who dropped out last season because of COVID-19. Billings has asthma and was concerned about getting the infection. Former Browns player Larry Ogunjobi has signed a one-year contract with Bengals.
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