Top Five Free Agents The Browns Should Target This Offseason
Who should the Cleveland Browns target this offseason in free agency? After another season of missing the playoffs, the Browns have some work to do. Five free agents the Browns should target this offseason.
Brad Stainbrook - January 7, 2023, 11:03 AM EST
3 minTop Five Free Agents The Browns Should Target This Offseason
The Cleveland Browns have missed the NFL playoffs yet again this season. While the Browns do not have a first-round draft pick for the foreseeable future, they'll have enough cap space to sign a few players. The majority of the focus should be on the defense, and the team will have options to consider.
Here are five free agents the team should target to bring to Cleveland, Ohio this summer:
Top Five Free Agents The Browns Should Target
Jessie Bates, Cincinnati
The current Browns safety room currently consists of D'Anthony Bell, Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., and John Johnson. Bell has gotten more playing time lately, but his main role will continue to be Special Teams. Ronnie Harrison and John Johnson are two names who may be elsewhere next season. Harrison is set to hit the open market, while there has been speculation Johnson could be a post-June 1st cut. Grant Delpit has come on strong as of late, showing strong promise for his future in Cleveland. Bates would join Delpit and solidify the safety room in Cleveland.
Will Fuller, Free Agent
This name is a big IF depending on if he is ready to play football again. Fuller did not play during the 2022 season and is currently a free agent.
The Browns should target a slot receiver who has the ability to separate from defenders, which would create another element to the Kevin Stefanski offense. The receiver room has its core in place with Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, but the rest still feels like a mystery. The Anthony Schwartz experiment appears to be heading in the wrong direction, and the team still doesn’t know what they have in rookies David Bell and Michael Woods.
Matt Ioannidis, Washington
The defensive tackle room this season has been disappointing. Consisting of Taven Bryan, Jordan Eliott, Ben Stille, Tommy Togiai, and Perrion Winfrey, the group has failed to apply any pressure all season long. The room feels like it is missing a veteran, meaning Andrew Berry should look to build the room via free agency rather than the NFL draft. Matt Ioannidis would fill that need.
Yannick Ngakoue, Indianapolis
Myles Garrett is Myles Garrett, there is no need to worry about him. However, Jadeveon Clowney told reporters there is a 95% chance he won't be back, meaning Cleveland needs to find Garrett a new robin. Rookie Alex Wright appears headed in the right direction, but players like Isaiah Thomas, and Chase Winovich have struggled this season. Ngakoue may be available for cheap this offseason considering he missed time this season with an injury.
Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland
While quarterback Jacoby Brissett is set to hit the open market this offseason, Cleveland should keep a close eye on his situation. Deshaun Watson and Brissett have grown a close relationship this season, and Brissett would provide Cleveland with an above-average backup quarterback. Brissett deserves to be a starter, but if he's a backup next year, it should be in Cleveland.
