CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from Jan. 20, 2021
Last year, the Cleveland Browns fell short in their reported pursuit of Jadeveon Clowney, who ultimately signed with the Tennessee Titans.
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Now, it appears, the Browns are once again trying to attract the No. 1 pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, with the league's transaction wire revealing that Cleveland brought the free-agent defensive end to town for a visit on Wednesday.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Clowney struggled in his lone season with the Titans. But despite only appearing in eight games due to injury and failing to record a single sack, the South Carolina product graded well according to Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the No. 19 edge defender in the league during the 2020 season.
Still 28-years-old, Clowney could make for an ideal match opposite Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett. Furthermore, he'll likely be available at a discounted rate after last year's injury-plagued campaign.
Last week, Cleveland signed former first-round pick Takkarist McKinley to a one-year contract. Yet considering McKinley's own injury history and lack of consistency, it would make sense for Browns general manager Andrew Berry to continue to explore potential upgrades with last year's starter opposite Garrett, Olivier Vernon, still un-signed after suffering a torn Achilles injury in Cleveland's regular-season finale.
To this point in free agency, Berry has primarily focused his efforts on the defensive side of the ball, signing safety John Johnson III, cornerback Troy Hill, linebacker Anthony Walker, defensive tackle Malik Jackson, as well as McKinley.