CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.
The first and second waves of free agency for the NFL are largely over as many are now turning their attention to this month’s NFL Draft. However, unlike previous years with general manager Andrew Berry in charge, the Browns have stayed relatively quiet in free agency.
Cleveland’s biggest moves this offseason have come by way of the trade market, shelling out three first-round picks and three other picks in exchange for Houston’s Deshaun Watson, and giving up two late-round picks to the Dallas Cowboys for wide receiver Amari Cooper.
With that said, the Browns still do have some holes remaining on the roster. The addition of Cooper helps the wide receiver room, but it’s a room that still needs a bit more help. The team also needs to add – or retain – someone to rush the passer opposite star edge rusher, Myles Garrett. The addition of Chase Winovich via trade could be a nice boost, but that can’t be all that the Browns do.
Here are five names to focus on as NFL free agency continues on.
Jarvis Landry
There was really no other place for this list to start, right? Landry spent the last four seasons with the Browns and was considered by many to be the heartbeat of the offense during that time. Entering this offseason he had a $15 million contract with no guaranteed money remaining on it for the 2022 season. Landry was released by the Browns after he and his representation were unable to find a suitor for him via trade.
Landry is still a free agent nearly a month later, and reportedly shares a mutual interest with the team on a return to Cleveland for a fifth season. Landry had a down year by his standards last season while dealing with numerous injuries but could shine alongside new quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Will Fuller
Speaking of Watson, it could make sense for one of his old targets to find him in Cleveland. Will Fuller spent the first five years of his career catching passes from Watson and could bring his game-breaking ability to the Browns. The last season he played with Watson was by far his best, where he finished with 53 catches and eight touchdowns while averaging a staggering 16.6 yards per catch.
The downside to signing Fuller would be his extensive injury history. In his six seasons in the NFL, Fuller has never played more than 14 games, and only played three games in 2021 for Miami after dealing with injuries and personal issues. If he signs with the Browns and is able to stay on the field, he could bring an explosive element to the passing game that the Browns haven’t been able to figure out for quite a while.
Jadeveon Clowney
Another reunion could make sense, this time, on the defensive side of things. After signing a one-year deal with the Browns last offseason, edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney finds himself as a free agent for the third offseason in a row. In each of the past two, Berry and the Browns have made their attempts to sign him, seeing him go to Tennessee in 2020 before inking him in Cleveland last offseason.
Clowney went on to have a strong season for the Browns, finishing with nine sacks in 14 games for the Browns. The former No.1 overall pick had the support of Garrett as well, as he vouched for his return near the end of the season.
Akiem Hicks
Aside from receiver and edge rusher, the Browns also need some help in the interior of their defensive line. Akiem Hicks should be at the top of their list in free agency. After spending much of his career playing out on the edge, Hicks played the majority of his snaps at defensive tackle last season, and he could do the same in Cleveland next year.
After playing just nine games last year, Hicks could be a guy that the Browns are able to attract on a one-year “prove it” deal. Hicks will turn 33 next season, but still has plenty to give to an NFL team, as long as he can stay healthy.
Sheldon Richardson
Fine, one last reunion here if the Browns aren’t able to land Hicks, and that’s Sheldon Richardson. Richardson was a marquee offseason signing back in 2019 and had two really strong seasons with the Browns before being a salary cap casualty prior to the 2021 season. Richardson then signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal.
Richardson is one of the more reliable players left on the market, as he hasn’t missed a game since 2017 when he was in Seattle. Last year with Minnesota he played in all 17 games and totaled 39 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His leadership wouldn’t go unnoticed in the defensive meeting rooms, either.
*Editor's Note: The video in the player above is from previous report.