Browns Come Out Aggressive, Agree to Terms with Two Free Agents, Keep Three More
In this story:
The Cleveland Browns were involved in a number of high stakes negotiations early but only ended up making a few deals on the first day of legal tampering ahead of Wednesday's official beginning to free agency. While they made a handful of prudent moves, the success of the day likely rests on the performance of their biggest catch of the day, Dalvin Tomlinson.
The Browns were aggressive in trying to appeal to both Javon Hargrave and Dre'Mont Jones, considered by many to be the top two defensive tackles available in free agency.
Hargrave chose the San Francisco over the Browns, agreeing to a 4-year deal worth $84 million. Reports suggest the Browns were willing to meet Hargrave's financial demands and it simply came down to taste. In joining the 49ers, Hargrave will play on a loaded defense. He will play alongside Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead.
Jones chose the Seattle Seahawks over the Browns due to the structure of the contract. The Seahawks frontloaded the money, including $23.5 million in the first season, something that the Browns simply could not do.
The Browns opted to transition to the other position on the interior the team needed to address, landing an agreement with Dalvin Tomlinson. The 6'3' 325lb behemoth offers them the size and ability to stop the run they want without sacrificing mobility and ability to rush the passer defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz appears to require.
The deal averages $14.25 million per season, which isn't cheap. The Browns got the top of the market player at the position and that often comes with a surcharge. That puts pressure on Tomlinson to deliver and for this defense to be good.
Tomlinson played the three for the Vikings, but he may be move to the nose for the Browns to maximize their athleticism. At the very least, it gives them the option depending on what else they can do.
The other player the Browns added from outside the organization is the most interesting. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo agreed to a three-year deal for $19 million that could escalate to $22 million. It has just $12.5 million guaranteed.
Okoronkwo has been one of the most efficient pass rushers in the NFL the past two seasons. He only became a starter the second half of this season, but made the most of it. A hair under 6'2" and in the mid 250 pound range, Okoronwko succeeds because he's able to defeat blocks and get into the backfield. While that has been great as a pass rusher for him, it has worked out for him as a run defender as well.
One of the elements that makes the Okoronkwo signing look good is the fact they already have Alex Wright, who will now be entering his second season. If Wright grows into being an effective run defender, it could allow Okoronkwo to be more geared towards rushing the passer. That pairing could provide some good balance while not stopping them from continuing to add more edge rush help either in free agency or the upcoming NFL Draft.
If you've listened to me talk on podcasts lately, you've probably heard me talk about the Browns signing more Jacoby Brissetts and fewer Jadeveon Clowneys. Brissett was cheap, but his professionalism and attitude added to the team. He overperformed his contract. Clowneys have more talent but come with volatility.
Okoronkwo keeps outperforming his deals and is someone who adds to a locker room. The Browns can use all the defensive professionalism they can get as it should only make everyone in that room better, only adding reason to appreciate the move.
The other deal that made waves was the move to re-sign center Ethan Pocic. Pocic agreed to a deal that reportedly is worth $18 million over three seasons, less than what Pocic was projected to get on the open market.
Pocic was not shy about his desire to stay with the Browns and his appreciation for offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Perhaps he would've gotten more on the open market, but Pocic gets a solid deal that might be the best decision for maximizing his career.
The signing of Pocic is good news for quarterback Deshaun Watson. He's got size which will likely prove valuable in an offense likely to operate out of the shotgun at a much higher rate. Pocic was effective at making line calls last season.
However, the extension of Pocic might foretell a move to come, be it this year or next. With Pocic under contract, the Browns have four offensive linemen on contract extensions in addition to Jedrick Wills, currently making $6.2 million and likely to get his fifth-year option picked up.
The Browns just signed Conklin at the end of last season and Joel Bitonio continues to play at an All-Pro level. That would suggest the odd man is likely right guard Wyatt Teller. It's unclear how well he fits the direction the Browns offense is going, but he's averaging $14.2 million per season and his contract is very tradeable. Yes, the Browns eat some money to move him, but that could be why Teller has major value to other teams.
The timing of the trade would likely depend on the structure of Pocic's deal. If they followed their traditional contract structure, paying him the minimum in his first season plus signing bonus, then paying more the second and third seasons, that could clear the way for Teller to remain with the team for the 2023 season before getting moved ahead of the 2024 season. But they probably aren't hanging up the phone if someone is calling and inquiring about Teller now either.
It's certainly nice that the Browns appear to be keeping linebacker Sione Takitaki in the mix. They have described him as being exactly the type of person they want on this team. It's unclear when his knee will be ready for this season, so they still have work to do at the position, but the $2.5 million deal is a nice reward for a player who has gotten better every season since the Browns drafted him.
Likewise, re-signing corner A.J. Green is logical. He provides good depth, able to play both outside and in the slot when necessary. The $2.627 million he's due by virtue of his tender is cheap enough, especially with Greg Newsome II and Martin Emerson Jr. playing on rookie deals.
If the Browns utilize Tomlinson at nose, they still need a three. Sheldon Rankins, Matt Iaonnidis, Poona Ford and Morgan Fox are options. Don't forget the Browns could also bring in Fletcher Cox from the Philadelphia Eagles. Shelby Harris is another player that seems counter intuitive to what Schwartz wants at that position, but he's a heck of a run defender. So if the Browns were to sign Harris, they would probably push to add more edge help that can play up and down the line.
Speaking of pass rush help, the Minnesota Vikings agreed to sign defensive end Marcus Davenport to a one-year $13 million. With Danielle Hunter already on the roster, Za'Darius Smith is the odd man out. Smith already requested his release. However, if a team like the Browns were to offer a pick, they might simply let them have him. The Browns had previously been interested in Smith before he signed in Minnesota.
The Cleveland Browns got some things accomplished to open up the legal tamperiing period. They came into the day needing five starters on defense and now it's down to three. They've answered the center question and kept a couple depth players trending in a positive direction. The Browns still have plenty to do, but Monday was a good start.
