Entering freedom of action, the two most difficult positions to tackle for the Cleveland Browns were frontier corner and a leading-edge rusher. Entering the second week of the subscription period, these are the two positions that the Browns still need to fill.
There are still attractive options out there, including Carlos Dunlap and Mevin Ingram on the defensive end. Jadeveon Clowney, that the Browns chased last year, will be available in the next month or two, when he finishes recovering from the injury that knocked him out last season. The Browns were willing to wait last year, as they had Olivier Vernon at home, but this year, waiting for him could be at your own risk.
On the corner, two more Tennessee Titans may be options, as both Adoree ‘Jackson and Malcolm Butler Are available. This does not take into account the potential trade scenarios that the Browns could be investigating in either position.
Danielle Hunter is a name that has emerged since the Minnesota Vikings. Dissatisfied with his contract and waiting for an exchange, he is a genuine superstar close to the same level as Myles Garrett, if the Vikings were willing to negotiate and the Browns paid the price to get it and could make the money work, the Browns actually turn their defense into a fearsome defense in just one offseason.
Yes, Hunter missed last season with a neck injury that would have to be investigated, but between 2018 and 2019, Hunter recorded a total of 29 bags and 74 pressures. In addition, Garrett, who in the last two seasons, 24 games, recorded 22 sacks and 61 pressures.
The New Orleans Saints is below the limit, badly, but they are not resolved with limit issues. At the moment, they cannot afford to sign their potential recruitment options. They’ll keep trying to move money around, so Marshon Lattimore it may still end up in play for an exchange.
If all else fails and the Browns are unable to address any of the positions before the NFL Draft, the Browns will not necessarily be in trouble. Undoubtedly, the Browns would prefer to be proven veterans rather than relying on newbies for important defense roles.
The Browns can and perhaps should draw two edges and two corners in the first four choices of the draft, two of which are scheduled to take place in the third round. They may need to maneuver some negotiations to ensure they get the players they want, but they would be covering their bases and giving themselves a lot of options.
At the corner in particular, the Browns it could be inclined to wait for the sketch anyway. Adoree ‘Jackson is an extremely talented corner and the Browns would be lucky enough to add it, but with Denzel Ward and Troy Hill, the Browns have medium height corners that are relatively small.
The Browns may want to add someone larger to be able to match some of the biggest wide receivers they will face, including Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals and Chase Claypool of the Pittsburgh Steelers just within their division. Greedy Williams is a longer corner, but it is unclear what he will offer this season and they may simply want more. Williams will compete at the camp and, I hope, contribute this season.
Three perspectives stand out as possibilities. Jaycee Horn from South Carolina, the most unlikely to last until the age of 26 has size and strength, is physical and extremely competitive. The two that may be more accessible to the Browns are Greg Newsome out of Northwestern and Ifeatu Melifonwu from Syracuse. Both offer length, stand out in offline coverage, offer notable advantages, but they are not finished products. Considering everything the Browns added to the secondary, the Browns can feel confident about their ability to incorporate them into defense. Having Greedy Williams relieves some of that burden.
The Browns will find some depth in the free agency, particularly security, as the defense wants the ability to use three on the field at the same time. They need someone who can come in and contribute if someone gets hurt. It would be convenient to bring Karl Joseph back, as he has experience in the scheme and is experienced in playing deep and close to the line of scrimmage.
But as tempting as it is to catch some players, like a fourth corner or additional depth in the linebacker, the Browns must save them for the draft due to the financial implications.
Malcolm Smith will win $ 1.212 million, which is basically the minimum in the league. In the first year of the Grant Delpit contract, the 44th overall choice in the NFL’s Draft 2020, he won just $ 1.357 million. Smith has a definite role, acting as a coverage linebacker, which is what they need from him. In general, the Browns are better at draft depth than signing and the Browns are entering this draft with nine choices.
Delpit’s contract reaches US $ 2.375 million in the fourth year of its operation. Jordan Elliott, a third round pick, won $ 834,259 in the first year of his contract and topped off with $ 1,383,659 in the fourth year.
So, whether it’s a fourth and fifth turn or their fifth safety or depth in the linebacker, Browns are encouraged to use these roster points in draft choices, which saves money and offers a significant advantage for the future.
Gareon Conley is a good example of someone the Browns might be interested in adding. Yes, he is from the area and played at Ohio State. He is a former first-round pick who is trying to resume his career after a year lost to injury. It is more prudent for the Browns to choose a player who fits in that place, even if he is as tall as in the second round.
Unless Conley is willing to choose the minimum in the league, that would be more than many of his choices in the draft. His best scenario lasts only a year with the Browns. They have a spare competing for a border role in Greedy Williams. The Browns must call on players so that they can develop and potentially win a more important role in the future.
The Browns need to add depth, especially in the defense that they can play against special teams. With fewer initial needs to address, the Browns can use a lot of this draft to fill their ranks with players who can help special teams now with an eye for more roles in the future.
With a front office and coaching structure that seems capable of lasting, they can begin to build a talent pipeline where draft choices may not be heard much for a year or two, but intervene and make significant contributions in the event of injury or when the Browns need to give up talent.