In our fifth of a six-step process to get the Cleveland Browns back to the playoffs, The Greetham Angle looks at what the Browns did in free agency at linebacker. Will the Browns draft a linebacker?
Fred Greetham
BEREA, Ohio-- Over the last several Cleveland Browns off-seasons,The Greetham Anglehas laid out our ideas on what we think the Browns can do to put themselves in a position to take it to the next level. Heading into the 2023 offseason, we laid out five steps the Browns could take to make it to the playoffs. The Browns had a strong season with an 11-6 finish and a berth as the No. 1 wild card team in the playoffs.
The Greetham Angleprojected the Browns to be 11-6 and to make the playoffs before the season began but likely would not have if we had known the team would lose their franchise quarterback and Pro Bowl running back, among others, for the season.
In 2024, the first goal is to get back into the playoffs, but then to go to at least the AFC Championship game, if not the Super Bowl.
After overhauling the defense in the 2023 offseason, the defense was the strength of the team, finishing the season as the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL, led by defensive coordinatorJim Schwartz.
As it stands now, the Browns are about $13.5 million under the salary cap per overthecap.com after the first wave of free agency moves, including the trade for wide receiverJerry Jeudyand signing him to a three-year extension. The Browns have re-structured a number of veterans this offseason to put themselves in a position to add some key players.Denzel WardandJedrick Willshave already had their contracts restructured. QuarterbackDeshaun Watsonwould be a prime candidate to have his $64 million salary cap number restructured.
General managerAndrew Berryhas often said the Browns would not be limited by a lack of resources to make the necessary moves they need to make.
"I think where the salary cap landed, that was in the range of our projections," Berry said at the NFL Combine. "I can't say that we have the number pinpointed. I wouldn't say that it has a fundamental impact in terms of our planning, but obviously, there are more available dollars across the league, so that could impact markets accordingly as you think about free agency and extension."
As the Browns are beginning the third year of Watson's $230 million guaranteed contract, the Browns are committed to doing whatever they think is necessary to put them in a position to compete for a Super Bowl in 2024 and beyond.
The Browns do not need to overhaul their roster as they have in the previous two seasons, Currently, including the return of injured players, 16-17 of the 22 starters from 2023 are under contract, as of now in 2024.
The portion in italics was written by The Greetham Angle in the earlier stories.
Here is our Six Step series of steps for the Browns to continue in their quest to make it back to the playoffs and beyond. We understand that it is highly unlikely all of the needs are able to be met but offer several options for key positions of need.
Here is step No. 6 --Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024 -- Pre-Free Agency ... NUMBER 6
Here is step No. 5--Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024 -- Pre-Free Agency ... NUMBER 5
Here is step No. 4--Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024 -- Pre-Free Agency ... NUMBER 4
Here is step No. 3--Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024 -- Pre-Free Agency ... NUMBER 3
Here is step No. 2--Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024 -- Pre-Free Agency ... NUMBER 2
Here is step No. 1--Six Steps to put the Cleveland Browns back in the Playoffs in 2024 -- Pre-Free Agency ... NUMBER ONE!
As always, projected free agents get franchised or transition tagged by their previous team or they get extended to long-term contracts, thus these options are subject to change. We wouldn't rule out Berry making a trade to add a key player as he did last year with the trades for edge rusherZa'Darius Smithand wide receiverElijah Moore.The previous year Berry traded for wide receiverAmari Cooperjust prior to free agency.
However, if there is a team ready to move on from a veteran with a big salary, Berry might do something as he did last year to address the wide receiver, defensive line, linebacker, or other positions.
Berry did whatThe Greetham Anglesuggested and traded for a veteran wide receiver (Jeudy) before free agency began.
Obviously, a big boost in the overall season's results for the Browns will be to have their franchise quarterback and Pro Bowl running back for the whole season, but that can never be accounted for.
Since the 'legal tampering' era of free agency begins on Monday, March 11 (when most big deals get done), we will focus our attention on free agency moves, knowing the NFL Draft will follow to address needs, as well.The Greetham Anglethinks Berry will try to make a big splash in free agency and address at least one of the positions of need.
In our preview last year, we hit on several players that the Browns ended up acquiring includingDalvin Tomlinson,Za'Darius Smith,Juan Thornhill,Ogbonnia Okoronkwo,andElijah Moore. They also re-signed linebackersAnthony WalkerandSione Takitaki.
The Browns will need to add depth at key positions, including a veteran backup quarterback, which we covered in step No. 6. For the rest of this series, we are looking at starting or front-line rotational positions.
We will now assess the moves before free agency began and see what the Browns might do in the NFL Draft which will begin this week.
Here is what we said as being the No. 5 step in the process.(The previous story quotes are in italics.)
NUMBER 5 -- RE-SIGN LINEBACKERSSIONE TAKITAKIandANTHONY WALKERor ADD FREE AGENT UPGRADES
Under Berry, the Browns have not been aggressive in adding linebackers in free agency and Berry might choose to make a bigger splash at other positions. The top free agent linebackers are likely not targets,such asFrankie Luvu(#26 NFL.com, #34 PFF.com) orPatrick Queen(#28 NFL. #45 PFF), but the Browns could surprise people with a move at linebacker.
Analysis
The Browns have signed two veteran linebackers so far, including Jordan Hicks and Devin Bush. The Browns could look to add a linebacker in the draft with speed who can play in coverage, would help in the passing defense, not relying totally onJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The Browns have not been aggressive in spending big money at the linebacker position and could use the draft to strengthen the position.
Additions
Jordan Hicks-- The Browns signed Hicks to a two-year, $8 million contract.
Devin Bush-- The Browns signed Hicks to a one-year contract for $1.5 million.
Lost
Anthony Walker-- Signed a one-year contract with the Dolphins.
Sione Takitaki-- Signed a two-year contract with the Patriots.
Best Options
Here are some of the options identified by The OBR staff that could be possible targets for the Browns in the projected rounds that the Browns have picks. Currently, the Browns have six picks with their first pick in the second-round at No. 54. The Browns have a third-round pick (#85), a fifth-round (#156), a sixth-round pick (#206) and two, seventh-round picks (#227) and (#243).
2nd-3rdRound -- Edgerrin Cooper(6-3, 230, Texas A & M)
3rd-4th Round--Cedric Gray(6-1, 234, North Carolina)
3rdRound -- Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (6-0, 228, Clemson)
3rdRound -- Trevin Wallace(6-1, 237, Kentucky)
5th Round -- Ty'Ron Hopper (6-1, 228, Missouri)
5th Round -- Curtis Jacobs (6-1, 245, Penn State)
5th-6th Round -- Jaylan Ford(6-2, 239, Texas)
4th-6th Round -- Jordan Magee(6-1, 228, Temple)
UDFA -- Dallas Gant-- (6-2, 228, Toledo)
Bottom Line
The only two starters who are not returning to the Browns' No. 1 ranked defense from 2023 are Walker and Takitaki. The Browns feel they have upgraded the linebacker position with the signing of Hicks, who has over 100 tackles in each of the previous five seasons. The other linebacker signed to date, Bush, is a former top-10 pick of the Steelers.
However, Bush has not been the same since tearing his ACL while playing with the Steelers. The Browns are hoping to help resurrect Bush's career with a low-risk, high-potential signing.
The Browns do not play three linebackers at a time on many occasions in their defensive scheme and with Owusu-Koramoah and Hicks at the top of the depth chart, the Browns will likely add another linebacker in the NFL Draft or a veteran linebacker on a short-term deal after the draft to compete for playing time or roster spots on the 2024 team.
In addition to Hicks, Bush and Owusu-Koramoah, the Browns currently have Tony Fields, Mohamoud Diabate and Charlie Thomas returning to compete for playing time in 2024
Next Up:The Greetham Angle will look at the No. 4 step, the running back position.
