CLEVELAND — The NFL's legal tampering period begins at 12 p.m. on Monday, March 11, which marks the start of negotiations with players and teams as we head into the free agency season.
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 13 at 4 p.m.
Unrestricted free agents:
- DE Za'Darius Smith
- DT Shelby Harris
- WR Jakeem Grant
- QB Joe Flacco
- LB Sione Takitaki
- WR Marquise Goodwin
- P Corey Bojorquez
- CB Mike Ford Jr.
- RB Kareem Hunt
- S Rodney McLeod
- DT Maurice Hurst II
- LB Anthony Walker Jr.
- LB Matthew Adams
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- S Duron Harmon
- DT Jordan Elliott
- LB Jacob Phillips
- T Geron Christian Sr.
- TE Harrison Bryant
- G Michael Dunn
- C/FB Nick Harris
- WR James Proche II
- QB P.J. Walker
- QB Jeff Driskel
Exclusive rights free agent:
- DE Sam Kamara
Cleveland Browns' 2024 free agency needs
Wide receiver
With a healthy Deshaun Watson set to return for the 2024 season, the Cleveland Browns will be looking for more targets to equip Watson with. Currently, the Browns have a No. 1 receiver in 30-year-old Amari Cooper, but they are on the hunt for a reliable No. 2 option after an underwhelming year from Elijah Moore. For the Browns, acquiring another wideout during free agency may be their best option, as the team does not have a pick until the second round of the NFL Draft.
Linebackers
The Cleveland Browns will be looking to fill their linebacker room. Takitaki, Walker, Adams, Kunaszyk, and Phillips are all unrestricted free agents this offseason, leaving only Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Tony Fields II, and Mohamoud Diabate as linebackers under contract.
Defensive line
Jim Schwartz had a remarkable first year with the Browns as defensive coordinator, capturing the NFL's Assistant Coach of the Year award. Following a disappointing performance in 2022, the Browns defense led the NFL in multiple defensive statistic categories with Schwartz calling the shots. As the team enters the free agency period, they are faced with several major decisions. Currently, the only defensive tackles under contract are Dalvin Tomlinson and Siaki Ika, as Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurts and Jordan Elliott are all free agents. Don't be surprised if the Browns bring back one or more of these free agents.
Offensive line
The Cleveland Browns offensive line suffered a multitude of injuries during the 2023 season. However, as the Browns enter the free agency period, they are not looking for a starter with Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills Jr., and Dawand Jones all back in the fold alongside Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, and Ethan Pocic. However, the Browns are looking to find someone who can be a solid option if the team faces injuries up front again.
Quarterback
While Watson is set to return as the starting QB for the Browns, the team is in need of a third signal-caller to join the QB room of Watson and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Following a heroic, storybook performance for the team last year, free agent Joe Flacco has already expressed his desire to come back to Cleveland. Whether Flacco returns may depend on if another team gives him a chance to start. So it's unknown who the team will bring in as the third QB for the 2024 season at this point.
Potential free-agent targets
Player's most recent team listed in parentheses. Players not listed in any particular order.
Wide Receiver
- Marquise Brown (Arizona Cardinals)
- Curtis Samuel (Washington Commanders)
- Tyler Boyd (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Darnell Mooney (Chicago Bears)
- Mike Williams (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Calvin Ridley (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Donovan Peoples-Jones (Detroit Lions)
Linebackers
- Devin White (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Eric Kendricks (Los Angeles Chargers)
- Jerome Baker (Miami Dolphins)
- Sione Takitaki (Cleveland Browns)
- Jordyn Brooks (Seattle Seahawks)
Offensive Line
- Jermaine Eluemunor (Las Vegas Raiders)
- Josh Jones (Houston Texans)
- Cameron Fleming (Denver Broncos)
- Mekhi Becton (New York Jets)
- George Fant (Houston Texans)
Defensive line
- Christian Wilkins (Miami Dolphins)
- DaQuan Jones (Buffalo Bills)
- Javon Kinlaw (San Francisco 49ers)
- Teair Tart (Houston Texans)
- D.J. Reader (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Fletcher Cox (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Tyquan Lewis (Indianapolis Colts)
- Chase Young (San Francisco 49ers)
Quarterback
- Joe Flacco (Cleveland Browns)
- Jacoby Brissett (Washington Commanders)
- Gardner Minshew (Indianapolis Colts)
- Tyler Huntley (Baltimore Ravens)
- Joshua Dobbs (Minnesota Vikings)
