Latest Browns free agency outlook

By: Ivan Mulinder

The Browns have had an excellent Free Agency so far. In the PFF Off-season Improvement Index, they have been ranked the 4th most improved team behind the Broncos, Colts, and Raiders. To date they have brought in:

• WR Amari Cooper
• QB Deshaun Watson
• QB Jacoby Brissett
• WR Jakeem Grant
• OLB/DE Chase Winovich
• DT Taven Bryan

They’ve resigned:

• TE David Njoku
• OT Chris Hubbard
• LB Anthony Walker

Not only have the Browns brought in quality players in their positions of most need, but Andrew Berry has also been creating Cap space in the process. Currently, the Browns have a Cap space of $36,762,641 which is the second-highest in the NFL. Let’s take a look at the Browns new additions in more detail.

Amari Cooper is one of the league’s best route runners and stretches the field which is something the Browns have been desperate to achieve for the last 2 years. In 2021 Cooper totaled 865 yards with an average of 12.7 per reception and scored 8 touchdowns. He has scored 27 touchdowns in the last 4 years and is undoubtedly the Browns new WR1. He fits the Browns preferred no-nonsense style and most of his salary went into a signing bonus with the rest stretched out by adding 2 void years. 

Jakeem Grant is a slot WR and has been brought in as the Browns new Kick and Punt returner. He’s only scored 3 touchdowns in the last 3 years, but they have all been from returns. He has returned over 300 punt yards for each of the last two years including a touchdown both years, and in 2021 he returned 539 yards on kicks. In 2019 he returned 578 yards on kicks including another touchdown for 101 yards. 

Deshaun Watson is one of the top 5 NFL Quarterbacks. In 2020 he threw for 4,823 yards and 33 touchdowns. He’s as mobile as he’s accurate with a Relative Athletic Score of 9.24. He’s arguably the best QB the Browns have had in their entire history; amongst Browns QBs his 2020 data ranks 1st in passing yards/year, 1st in touchdowns/year, 1st in completion % (70.2%), and 1st in rushing yards (444).

Jacoby Brissett is probably going to be the Browns starting QB in 2022 assuming Watson gets a ban on games. Interestingly PFF graded him 15 of 38 qualifying starters last season, 2 behind Mahomes and ahead of Russell Wilson! The NFL ranked him 34 of 62, but we need to remember that the Miami O Line was incredibly poor and he still managed a 62.9% completion percentage. He’s 29, 6.4 and 238 lbs. His best year was in 2019 when he threw 2,942 yards and 18 touchdowns, with only 6 interceptions and a completion percentage of 60.9%. His QB play is better than these stats look and he’s certainly a very capable backup to Watson, although the Browns clearly want Watson to start as soon as possible.

Chase Winovich is 6.3, 250 lbs, and is already proving a hit with Browns fans on Twitter. His data speaks louder than his tweets, fortunately, proclaiming that the Browns have picked up a quality OLB. He fell out of favor with the Patriots in 2021, but in 2020 he had 5.5 sacks, 33 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 12 QB hits. If he produces that form again then the Browns Defense has significantly improved, and let’s face it, it was very good already.

Taven Bryan is a former first-round pick No. 29 from the Jacksonville Jaguars who’s only 26 and is 6.5, 291 lbs. He’s on a 1 year $5 million prove-it deal as he’s never quite lived up to his status in Florida. The good news is he’s consistently played 15+ games every season and last year got 2 sacks, 8 QB hits, and 4 tackles for loss. The Browns DT room is barren and Bryan is a much-needed pick-up.

Of their re-signed players David Njoku is the standout player so far with a 67.9% catch percentage and 9 yards per target with zero fumbles. This is the best data of his career and he will become the Browns TE1 following the release of Austin Hooper. Chris Hubbard is a very important depth piece on the Browns O Line and Anthony Walker amassed 113 tackles last season which is the second-best of his career.

Looking ahead to further signings the Browns are linked closely to the following players:

• DE Jadeveon Clowney
• DE Za’Darius Smith
• WR Will Fuller
• DT Akiem Hicks
• DE Danielle Hunter

The Browns want another quality DE opposite Garrett before going into the Draft. Last season it was Clowney who has been offered a 2 year $24 million deal. Personally, I’d prefer Melvin Ingram who has a much higher PFF Run Defense grade than Clowney- 76.7 compared to 62.8, and a higher pass rush grade- 77.3 compared to 69.1. Comparing total pressures they’re very similar with both over 50. Danielle Hunter from the Vikings had 6 sacks, 6 tackles for loss and 10 QB hits last season and has 35 sacks in 39 games so would be a very good addition if he arrived.

Will Fuller would be a very exciting Wide Receiver addition. In 2020, with Watson as his QB on Go/Fly/Fade routes he was 1st in receiving yards (292), and Watson has a Passer Rating of 152.1 which was 1st. Like Amari Cooper Fuller would stretch the field as his longest reception in 2020 was 77 yards and he scored 8 touchdowns.

Akiem Hicks is just the run stuffer that the Browns have needed and never had for years. He’s 6.4, 330 lbs, and a 2 gap run blocker that collapses the pocket enabling linebackers to fly about and do their thing. Imagine JOK, Jacob Phillips, Sione Takitaki, and Winovich with the freedom to play?!