With the NFL draft now over, the Cleveland Browns are back in focus on the roster through free agency, and possibly some potential deals. For Brown, that means Jarvis Landry, Jadvion Clooney, Baker Mayfield and players like Achim Hicks.
Brown and general manager in particular Andrew Berry seem comfortable with Baker Mayfield’s position, ready to play the long game, even if everyone hopes for an immediate solution. Day in and day out, he’s out of sight and out of the team’s mind, despite the fact that it’s something that needs to be done.
Although it appeared that Brown was trying to manufacture a market as everyone knows about the trade talks with the Carolina Panthers, the way he played the draft into a quarterback position with a historically low amount of capital being spent on the position made him unlikely. The transaction will be completed over the weekend.
As with some of the decisions Brown will make, the teams may want to see what they have in the junior camp before returning to the negotiating table over Mayfield.
![Cleveland Browns defensive end Jadevin Clooney (90) celebrates with Cleveland Browns quarterback Anthony Walker (4) after the dismissal of Arizona Cardinals quarterback Keeler Murray (1) during the first half of an NFL football game at First Energy Stadium, Sunday October 17, 2021, in Cleveland, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal] Brown 3](https://www.si.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTg1NzE4Mzc0NTYxNDkwMzI0/usatsi_16977478_168388069_lowres.jpg)
Like the defensive end, the Browns just don’t have enough defensive inside at the moment, especially when it comes to two-gap stoppers that can stop runs in early touchdowns. This will allow the combination of Taven Bryan and Winfrey to focus on using their sport to attack the quarterback.
Akiem Hicks is the best option still available in the free proxy market. Injuries have weakened him two of the past three years, but he’s still effective in this role with the potential to dominate. It’s also likely to come at a hefty price tag, around $8 million for one year. Brown may prefer not to pay too much for the position, but they may make an exception given the situation of that group. They want to get to a point where they can have players to play that role in cheaper junior deals or veteran deals, allowing them to put more money into positions they deem most important.
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They weren’t there yet.
There is more evidence that they should sign two free agent options than there is reason to believe that a combination of Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai would be ready to take on these roles.
Eddie Goldman and Zach Kerr are among the other options out there that should also be cheaper, but are not likely to be as effective. Perhaps there will be a cut after June 1 that brown can target as well.
But as with Clowney, rubber may not meet the road until June with any of these guys. Hicks probably doesn’t care about anything mandatory until training camp, because the wear and tear on his body is simply not worth it. The Browns will likely want to take a look at Logan and Perry in rookie camp before moving on with other veteran options, even if it only delays the inevitable. They might even get a deal with one of these guys to have a look at them for their little veteran campground before summer vacation.
If Browns are able to find themselves with Garrett, Clooney and Hicks in the starting lineup in September, it will give Browns a talented front streak and boost the depth potential they have amassed. If Hicks can have a productive season, Brian and Winfrey may be able to put them in the best possible position to make an impact.
The fact that the NFL draft is over and there are deals being made may make it seem like the Browns should move at a faster pace, but Brown is largely working at the players’ pace.
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