CLEVELAND — The NFL's legal tampering period starts at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, March 14, 2022, marking the unofficial start of the league's free agency period.
With that in mind, here's everything you need to know about the Cleveland Browns' free agency outlook ahead of the official start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 16:
Pending free agents
The following players who were under contract with the Browns in 2021 are set to hit the open market. Unless noted otherwise, all players are unrestricted free agents who are free to sign with new teams:
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Takkarist McKinley
- Malik Jackson
- Chris Hubbard
- Anthony Walker Jr.
- Rashard Higgins
- Andy Janovich
- M.J. Stewart
- Malcolm Smith
- Dustin Colquitt
- Elijah Lee
- Sheldon Day
- Ifeadi Odenigbo
- Ryan Switzer
- Nick Mullens
- Stephen Carlson (RFA)
- Porter Gustin (RFA)
- Montrel Meander (ERFA)
- Dexter Williams (ERFA)
- Ronnie Harrison Jr.
- Chase McLaughlin (RFA)
- Malik McDowell (ERFA)
- Duke Dawson (SFA)
Cleveland Browns 2022 free agency needs
Defensive end
Jadeveon Clowney is heading to free agency, as is Takkarist McKinley, who is also recovering from a torn Achilles. At this point in the offseason, either
Ifeadi Odenigbo or Porter Gustin project to start opposite Myles Garrett on the Browns' defensive line.
That almost certainly won't be the case by the end of the offseason, as general manager Andrew Berry's front office places a premium on pass rushers. While Cleveland may not sign one of the top defensive ends on the market, the Browns will likely take multiple swings at finding Garrett's next pass-rushing partner in free agency and the draft.
Quarterback
Publicly, the Browns have remained committed to Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback, but that shouldn't stop them from also considering their options. At a minimum, Berry also wouldn't rule out adding competition to Cleveland's quarterback room in the offseason ahead.
While a potential replacement for Mayfield is more likely to come via trade, the Browns could certainly use free agency to add a more viable backup than Case Keenum, who is likely to be a cap casualty. In that regard, Mitchell Trubisky and Marcus Mariota stand out as free agent options who also possess starting experience.
Defensive tackle
The Browns filled their void at defensive tackle last offseason with Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell -- neither of whom may return to Cleveland in 2022; Jackson is set to be a free agent, while McDowell is facing legal issues that could leave his NFL future in doubt.
In Jordan Elliott and Tommy Togiai, Cleveland has a pair of promising young players at the position, although neither possesses significant NFL experience. Just as they did last offseason, look for the Browns to address their need via multiple acquisitions.
Wide receiver
Exiting the 2021 season, wide receiver stood out as a clear position of need for the Browns. And while Cleveland has already taken one step to address the position by trading for Dallas Cowboys wideout Amari Cooper, the Browns might not stop there.
With Jarvis Landry likely to either be traded or released, Cleveland remains short on pass-catchers. At this point, the draft might be the more likely avenue for Berry to further address the position, but that won't stop the Browns from also keeping tabs on potential value signings.
Offensive tackle
The Browns restructured Jack Conklin's contract, but the nature of the 2020 All-Pro's injury -- a ruptured patella tendon -- leaves his status for next season in doubt. And while Cleveland has publicly committed to keeping Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle, moving him to right tackle -- where he played during his college career at Alabama -- remains a viable option.
Regardless of how the Browns handle their starting tackles situation, they also need depth. With Chris Hubbard set to hit free agency, Cleveland could use a swing tackle capable of playing on either side of the line.
Potential free-agent targets
Quarterback
- Mitchell Trubisky, Buffalo Bills
- Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders
- Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
- Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
- Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Commanders
- Jacoby Brissett, Miami Dolphins
Wide receiver
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals
- D.J. Chark, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Will Fuller V, Miami Dolphins
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers
- Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
- Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
- Cedrick Wilson, Dallas Cowboys
- Braxton Berrios, New York Jets
Offensive tackle
- Duane Brown, Seattle Seahawks
- Morgan Moses, New York Jets
- Eric Fisher, Indianapolis Colts
- Trent Brown, New England Patriots
- Riley Reiff, Cincinnati Bengals
- Germain Ifeadi, Chicago Bears
- Brandon Shell, Seattle Seahawks
- Bobby Massie, Denver Broncos
Defensive end
- Von Miller, Los Angeles Rams
- Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals
- Randy Gregory, Dallas Cowboys
- Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins
- Melvin Ingram III, Kansas City Chiefs
- Haason Reddick, Carolina Panthers
- Justin Houston, Baltimore Ravens
- Jerry Hughes, Buffalo Bills
- Derek Barnett, Philadelphia Eagles
- Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Defensive tackle
- Akiem Hicks, Chicago Bears
- Calais Campbell, Baltimore Ravens
- Folorunso Fatukasi, New York Jets
- B.J. Hill, Cincinanti Bengals
- D.J. Jones, San Francisco 49ers
- Sebastian Joseph-Day, Los Angeles Rams
- Maliek Collins, Houston Texans
- Harrison Phillips, Buffalo Bills
- Ndamukong Suh, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Linebacker
- De'Vondre Campbell, Green Bay Packers
- Kyle Van Noy, New England Patriots
- Alexander Johnson, Denver Broncos
- Foyesade Oluokun, Atlanta Falcons
- Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys
- Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos
- Dont'a Hightower, New England Patriots
- Anthony Barr, Minnesota Vikings
- Jayon Brown, Tennessee Titans
- K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks
Kicker
- Greg Zuerlein, Dallas Cowboys
- Randy Bullock, Tennessee Titans
- Nick Folk, New England Patriots
- Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons
- Michael Badgley, Indianapolis Colts
Punter
- Riley Dixon, New York Giants
- Pat O'Donnell, Chicago Bears
- Kevin Huber, Cincinnati Bengals
- Andy Lee, Arizona Cardinals
- Michael Palardy, Miami Dolphins