By: Jake Rajala

In Week 1, The Cleveland Browns pass rush was more fierce (and a tad deranged) than the lunatics chasing the wives that escaped Immortan Joe in Mad Max: Fury Road.

The Browns ousted four sacks (with three sacks coming from none other than Myles Garrett) on their former QB Baker Mayfield. It was clear that Mayfield wasn’t enjoying the quality of the Carolina Panthers OL on Sunday.

It was and still is extremely vital that CLE can continue to find ways to dominate with Deshaun Watson on the sideline for 11 games. The Browns were certainly able to garner production from Nick Chubb (22 attempts for 141 rushing yards). On defense, Garrett took it upon himself to dismantle the pass protection of the Panthers.

The Browns pass rush can be the key reason that the Browns can consistently find gold with their star QB MIA. Besides Garrett pushing for a DPOY award in 2022, the Browns have talented pass-rushing faces like Jadeveon Clowney and Chase Winovich (who recently cut his hair). Clowney didn’t match Garrett’s production on Sunday, but he still ousted a .5 sack. The issue with Clowney has been his inability to stay healthy — as he missed three games in 2021 and eight contests in 2020. If the former first overall pick by the Texans can stay healthy, the Browns have a Top-5 pass rushing duo with him and Garrett.

The Browns may not have their highly gifted & very controversial QB, but they still have an unearthly figure on defense (also known as Myles Garrett). The fellow AFC North squad in the Pittsburgh Steelers made the post-season in 2021, largely due to the rage from the 2021 DPOY winner T.J. Watt. The Steelers recipe for success last season could provide inspiration for the Browns in 2022 (whether the dog-pound would like to admit it).

The post Can the Browns pass rush lead them to the playoffs? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett unleashed his second straight All-Pro season in 2021 — as he unleashed career-high marks in sacks (16), QB hits (33) TFLs (17), and combined tackles (51). According to Sports Betting Dime, Garrett is the third-best candidate (after T.J. Watt and Aaron Donald) to win DPOY in 2022.

PFF also gave Garrett a 92.0-grade last season — which was ahead of Watt’s grade (89.5).

Of course, Garrett will anticipate that his teammate Jadeveon Clowney will return to being a player that shows first-overall pick talent. Clowney ousted nine sacks, 19 QB hits, and 11 TFLs in 2021. He recently signed a one-year contract worth $10 million, so it’s safe to say that the 29-year-old will continue to prepare well for a pivotal contract season.

Outside of the big-two pass rushers in CLE, the Browns will also expect a lot of play-making ability from Chase Winovich. The new Browns edge rusher had 11.5 sacks and 22 QB hits from 2019 and 2020 combined. The former Michigan Wolverine will certainly learn a lot from the greek god-like edge rushers in Cleveland and excel as the third DE – as he should remain fresh. He currently has one year left on his rookie contract. Stephen Weathlery is a long-time veteran has 8.5 sacks, 107 combined tackles, 27 QB hits, in his career up to this point.

The Browns ranked 10th in sacks last season and they will absolutely look to improve that spot in 2022. If Clowney can stay healthy, Garrett can compete with likely AD and Watt down to the wire in the DPOY conversation, and Winovich can take the next step in his career, the Browns should be a Top-5 team in sacks next season.

The post Cleveland Browns defensive end outlook right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Cleveland Browns officially reunited with Jadeveon Clowney today. Clowney has agreed to a one-year contract worth $11 million dollars, per NFL.com. The former first overall pick returned from the dead and registered nine sacks, 11 TFLs, and 19 QB hits in 14 games last season. Clowney and Myles Garrett should return to being the most lethal pass-rushing duo in the league next season.

Outside of the Browns dynamic pass-rushing tandem, the Browns also have Chase Winovich at the edge-rushing spot.

The Clowney acquisition comes after the Browns traded for numerous other elite profiles: the utterly talented, controversial QB Deshaun Watson and explosive WR Amari Cooper. Clowney may have missed the Bahamas trip, but he will begin non-stop training with his familiar team very soon. It may seem plausible that the Browns could also witness a return from Odell Beckham Jr, Joe Haden, or perhaps Sheldon Richardson. Of course, the long-time Brown Jarvis Landry decided to head back to the Big Easy and ink a deal with the Saints.

It was important that the Browns brought in a top-tier pass-rusher and impressive profile in late May. The AFC guns race has been in full force this off-season. The Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers have stacked their rosters and aimed their cannons at Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Buffalo. Well, it appears that there is another AFC juggernaut coming out of the shadow: the Cleveland Browns.

The post Browns sign Jadeveon Clowney: What does Clowney bring to the Browns? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers are handing the keys of the offense to Trey Lance, but they are far from a rebuilding stage. The 49ers have added Charvarius Ward and George Odum, but they haven’t hit the jackpot in free agency yet. I still expect them to have a strong chance of inking a top-tier player.

With that enunciated, here are a few profiles that the 49ers could sign:

• P.J. Williams

The former Saints S/CB P.J. Williams would be an exciting addition for the 49ers. The 49ers GM John Lynch needs to be drooling over the versatility and aggressive nature that Williams displays. Williams is also coming off a career season (3 ints, 2 sacks, 4 QB hits). The two highlights of his 2021 season were having a pick-6 against Tom Brady in Week 8 and laying a clean, vicious hit on Chris Godwin that ended his season in Week 18.

• Julio Jones

The 49ers are the perfect darkhorse to land Julio Jones in my opinion. Kyle Shanahan and Julio could reunite in the Bay Area. Shanny could have Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Brandon Aiyuk. The Rams added the superb Allen Robinson and it would only be fair if SF added Jones to their arsenal. If Jones wants to join a genius offensive mind and push for his first Lombardi trophy, he should head to San Francisco.

• Jadeveon Clowney

The Rams didn’t really need edge rusher Von Miller in 2021, but they believed his talent was important enough to help them take the next step. Lynch could make a creative and bold decision to snag Clowney (9 sacks in 2021) at this late stage in free agency and pair him with Nick Bosa. After all, Dee Ford’s tenure in SF appears to be nearly finished.

The post 3 dream free agent targets for the SF 49ers right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams have honestly had a terrific offseason thus far. Sean McVay upgraded at the wide receiver position with the signing of Allen Robinson. A-Rob is clearly an upgrade over Odell Beckham Jr. at this point in time (regardless of OBJ’s injury). The Rams also kept Sean McVay and most likely Aaron Donald out of retirement.

I still expect the Rams to be aggressive and creative to acquire talent this offseason. There are a few profiles that I believe McVay is currently drooling over this offseason. With that said, here are a few free-agent draft prospects that should impress Les Snead and McVay in the near future:

Bobby Wagner

McVay has been firm in his interest to ink the future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. Per Rams Wire, McVay is definitely interested in bringing in Wagner. If the Rams signed the former Seahawks LB, it would honestly be the most impressive free-agent signing by any NFL team this offseason. It would be hard to imagine that the utterly explosive Rams offense wouldn’t be joined by a Top 5 defense with Wagner, Aaron Donald, Leonard Floyd, and Jalen Ramsey.

James Cook

James Cook, the brother to Dalvin Cook, would be a fine replacement for Sony Michel. Cook impressively ran a 4.42 40 yard dash and his agility is as equally impressive. PFF nicely compares Cook to DeVonta Freeman. The Saints traded up to snag Alvin Kamara in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. I wouldn’t be shocked if McVay grabbed a shiny playmaker in Cook in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Odell Beckham Jr.

I suspect that Odell Beckham Jr. is hoping for a team to overpay for his services, but It would be very logical if he returned to the Rams on a short-term contract. OBJ could be involved in the Robert Wood-less offense and have a strong chance of winning another Lombardi. I’d also expect OBJ to want to play for a playoff contender on a one or two-year deal because he will already miss a huge chunk of the 2022 season. There isn’t any reason why OBJ can’t have a ton of success with the Rams in 2022 and then sign a massive four-year deal after the 2022 season.

Jadeveon Clowney

It appears that Jadeveon Clowney is looking to finally cash in after staying healthy and having a 9 sack season. I expect him to sign with a squad that offers him the most money. Clowney may not be head over heels to sign with a squad like the New York Jets, but he can help any team grow for the next five years. If the Rams sign a player like Wagner or OBJ, he may be more tempted to take less money to ink a deal with the Rams (If the Rams make their cap work for numerous FA signings). With that enunciated, I expect the Rams are more interested in signing Wagner and OBJ than Clowney (and his infamous Outback Bowl hit).

The post 5 dream targets for the LA Rams right now appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Miami Dolphins have clearly pressed the pedal to the metal over the past week. Mike McDaniel has recently brought in the elite left tackle Terron Armstead and speed-demon wideout Tyreek Hill. I still believe McDaniel has some tricks up his sleeve and he will look to add a few more pieces to his puzzle. With that said, here are a few profiles that the Dolphins could look to add this offseason.

• Jadeveon Clowney

It’s hard to believe the Dolphins aren’t the favorite to ink Jadeveon Clowney at this point in time. Clowney (9 sacks in 2021) can join a very talented defense that had the ninth most takeaways last season. The Dolphins offense could even match or surpass the talent of the Phins defense with the NFL’s top WR trio (DeVante Parker, Hill, Waddle). Last but not least, Clowney can work hard in the beautiful Miami area.

• Ndamukong Suh

The Dolphins should aspire to sign the versatile, familar stud Ndamukong Suh on a short deal. If Suh doesn’t want to return to Tampa, he should join the loaded Dolphins team. Suh isn’t “washed up”, as he six sacks in 2021 and six sacks in 2020. He also has 16 TFLs in the past two seasons combined. Suh could be a pivotal x-factor against the Patriots and Bills time-chewing offenses.

• Anthony Barr

The former Vikings Pro Bowl LB Anthony Barr could be a flexible chess piece for Josh Boyer’s defense. Barr can play inside LB, OLB, and he can come off the edge on occasion. Barr had 3 interceptions and 2.5 sacks for the Vikings last season. According to NBC Sports, the Vikings are unlikely to re-sign Barr. He can be a better version of Kyle Van Noy for the Phins defense.

Honorable mention:

• Tyrann Mathieu

I don’t foresee the Dolphins signing Clowney and the Honey Badger, but they should look to strike gold with Clowney or Tyrann Mathieu. The former All-Pro Chiefs safety is apparently looking to get a very wealthy contract. The Dolphins recently cut ties with Allen Hurns and Jesse Davis, so they could surprise and pay the Honey Badger his due.

The post Remaining free agent targets for the Dolphins appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Los Angeles Rams have really made bright free agent moves after winning Super Bowl LVI. Sean McVay has brought in the superb Allen Robinson and he managed to retain his starting center, Brian Allen.

On March 22nd, it appears that McVay still has a few tricks up his sleeve and he’s going to keep the gas on the pedal with Aaron Donald still playing on an unearthly level. With that said, who could the Rams look to add to their dream team roster? Well, here are a few faces that would make a ton of sense for LA.

• Odell Beckham Jr.

I honestly foresee the Rams keeping OBJ for at least another season. He was clearly playing well in their system and he will have another excellent opportunity to win back-to-back Super Bowl rings. According to NBC Sports, Les Snead absolutely wants Odell Beckham Jr. back in a Rams uniform.

I had an itch that OBJ would return to the Big Easy, but I expect him to be more appealed to playing with Matthew Stafford than Deshaun Watson Jameis Winston in 2022.

• Jadeveon Clowney

I wouldn’t be surprised if Clowney took slightly less money to have a strong chance of unveiling a career season next to Aaron Donald and Leonard Floyd in 2022. The Rams have been fortunate to sign DL studs like Clay Matthews, Ndamukong Suh, and Von Miller. It would make a ton of sense if the Rams were very aggressive to bring in another elite DL in their prime Super Bowl window. If they can’t swing big on OBJ, I really expect the Rams to target Clowney to replace Von Miller.

• Trey Flowers

The Rams have been in hot pursuit of big-name pass rushers over the McVay era, but they have also acquired underperforming edge players with a lot of talent like Dante Fowler Jr. If the reigning Super Bowl champions can’t lure in Clowney, they should fall back on Trey Flowers. From 2016 to 2019, Flowers had 6.5+ sacks in each regular season. Flowers only played in 7 sacks in each of the past two seasons, but he is healthy and looking to return to a fierce pass rusher in the right situation.

The post Remaining free agent targets for the LA Rams appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The Carolina Panthers officially compete in the Tom Brady-less NFC South. The crowd that surfaced to hear ” the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything” in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, moved to the south to rejoice that TB12 is out of their beloved NFL division.

Matt Rhule’s NFL squad was 5-12 in 2021 and they clearly need to kick things up a notch in 2022. The NFL free agency period is around the corner and Rhule will surely have his sights set on adding a few quality faces. With that said, here are a few profiles that would be ideal fits for the Panthers.

Jadeveon Clowney

The former first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney would be the perfect complement to Haason Reddick. Clowney, who shook the earth with his hit against the University of Michigan in the Outback Bowl, really bounced back in 2021 with 9 sacks.

I sadly expect the Panthers to lose Stephon Gilmore to the 49ers, but I expect them to hit another home-run signing with Clowney. The Panthers play the loaded Buccaneers and Saints offense, so they could use more firepower in their pass-rushing arsenal. If the Panthers can find a talented QB this offseason and they can ink Clowney, the Panthers should be seen as NFC South favorites.

Jakobi Meyers

I believe Jakobi Meyers is the ultimate underdog in the free agent WR pool this offseason. Meyers somehow quietly unveiled 866 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season. The 25-year-old is in the shadow of wideouts like Allen Robinson and JuJu Smith-Schuster, but he can be a Pro Bowl WR in the right system. If the Panthers lose Robby Anderson, it would be wise to target Meyers. He could reunite with Josh McDaniels in Las Vegas, but he could attract a more lucrative offer from the Panthers team that already misses Curtis Samuel.

Riley Reiff

The 2021 AFC Champion Riley Reiff is a free agent in 2022 and it appears the Cincinnati Bengals will look to replace Reiff with a younger OT. Reiff has injury issues, but that’s why he could be a quality value pickup by the Panthers. He should be available for the Panthers beyond the early stages of free agency and that would be perfect for the OT-needy Panthers team.

Reiff can play LT and RT so that versatility could provide huge dividends for the Panthers. Reiff might be 33 years old, but he can play at a modest level for many more years at the age-less LT position.

Honorable mentions:

P.J. Williams

The Panthers are all too familiar with the talent of the Saints safety/cornerback P.J. Williams. The former Florida State defensive back had his best season in 2021, as he notched two sacks, three interceptions (including a pick-six against Tom Brady), four QB hits, and he routinely thumped wide receivers in the middle of the field. Williams would be a fine, versatile replacement for the Panthers if they can’t retain Gilmore.

The post 3 free agent targets for the Carolina Panthers appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

It was once seen as a mythical situation when Jadeveon Clowney was drafted to play across from J.J. Watt in the 2014 NFL draft. Clowney, who once shook the earth with his hit against Michigan running back Vincent Smith, played his first five seasons with the Texans. The former first overall pick made five Pro Bowls and recorded two nine-plus sack seasons in Texas.

Clowney was acquired by Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks on August 31st of 2019. The 6’7 pass rusher that runs a 4.53 40 yard dash was tasked with helping the Seahawks defense complement the gifted Russell Wilson. In the 2020 offseason, Clowney decided to leave to the Tennesee Titans and prove himself on a one-year deal. The hyped-up defender fell flat and ousted 0 sacks in eight games.

The unsteady 28-year-old left to the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 free agency and decided to bet on himself again. He took a one-year deal to play across from the Top 3 DE Myles Garrett. Clowney’s decision paid off, as notched nine sacks, 11 Tackles For Loss, and 19 QB hits.

Clowney should really look to cash in after a positive season with the Browns and his best opportunity could even be to remain in Cleveland. I expect the Browns to be the top destination, as they are very familiar with his craft and financially able to secure him long-term. With that said, where else could he go next? Well, here are all the top landing spots for Clowney.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns are ranked 12th in cap space, plus they will likely not have to worry about extending Baker Mayfield. They have the resources lined up to extend Clowney. It’s clear that Garrett and Clowney are like Batman and Robin, as well (25 combined sacks). It’s nicely illustrated how General Manager Andrew Berry has spoken highly of him. According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, he said: “JD had a really good season for us, was very productive run and pass and a disruptive player”.

Clowney chose to go to the Browns in the last offseason when he had many options and offers. I expect the Browns to be the best combination of fit, culture, and money for him again in the 2022 offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Clowney could upgrade his defensive end partner by going from Myles Garrett to the 2021 Defensive Player of The Year T.J. Watt. It would also be poetic if Clowney went from playing with J.J. to chasing QBs with T.J. The Pittsburgh defense would be in strong contention to the NFL’s top unit with Watt, Clowney, and Cameron Hayward upfront.

They need to find their future QB, but they could look at adding Clowney to a defense that was eventually torched by Patrick Mahomes in the AFC playoffs. The Steelers also have the ninth most cap space with roughly $33 million. I don’t expect the Steelers to rebuild after Big Ben announced his retirement. They have a plethora of talent on offense surrounding the QB (Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris) and they have aging, elite profiles on defense. Mike Tomlin can rebuild retool and Clowney can be a big part of the puzzle moving forward.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers need extra fuel to make it into the AFC playoffs and Clowney could be that spark. The Chargers defense needs a partner for Joey Bosa and they haven’t had one since Melvin Ingram left. Bosa recorded 10.5 sacks in 2021, but it didn’t stop the Chargers from ranking 20th in sacks on the season. It’s also a bad sight if they struggle at obtaining sacks if they play in a division with Patrick Mahomes.

Brandon Staley’s team carries the second-most cap space with roughly $57.5 million, per “Over The Cap”. They could look at adding a prolific weapon for Herbert like Robert Gronkowski while adding an elite presence like Clowney on defense. The former Brown has to be intrigued by the long-term potential of the Chargers with Justin Herbert, who threw for 5,014 yards, 38 passing touchdowns, and holds a 66.2 completion percentage. The Chargers are a talented team that could make a jump similar to the boost that the Cincinnati Bengals made if the LA squad adds more explosion for Herbert and behemoths on defense. The Bengals brought in Trey Hendrickson and Ja’Marr Chase last offseason. It may be time for LA to add Clowney and a shiny new toy for Herbert.

Honorable Mention:

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have a lot of money (sixth in cap space), they’re on the verge of making the playoffs, and they need a replacement for the great Von Miller. Clowney (29 years old) can be the edge rusher that they need to fill in the shoes of the soon to be 33 year old Miller for the next few seasons. Bradley Chubb also hasn’t been earth-shattering over the past few seasons. He picked up 1 sack in 2019, 7.5 sacks in 2020, and 0 sacks in 2021. They could use a titan-like figure on their front seven to complement the NFL’s top secondary on the backend. If they acquire Aaron Rodgers (and Davante Adams?) or a different elite QB, it would make a lot of sense if the combination of cap space and talent fascinated Clowney’s interest.

Kansas City Chiefs

Every team in the AFC West would be a logical landing spot for the skillset Clowney presents. The Chiefs need more firepower on defense, particularly explosive players that stay onsides (cough, cough, Dee Ford). Clowney can replace Melvin Ingram (1 sack in 2021) and help Patrick Mahomes get their evasive second Super Bowl trophy. Andy Reid’s team doesn’t have a ton of cap money (21st in the league), but Clowney could take less money to help Kansas City become a true dynasty NFL team. The Los Angeles Rams brought in Von Miller to help them win Super Bowl LVI and it obviously paid off. Clowney can be the final chess piece that the Chiefs need to at least get one more Super Bowl down the line.

The post Potential landing spots for Jadeveon Clowney appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Michael Welsh

During the 2021 season, the Browns found themselves constantly coming up short and ultimately having a disappointing season. Through all of the bad, there were numerous bright spots, including some from players that need to be locked up in Cleveland long term. On the flip side, there were a few players that showed they may not be worth the money they’re making. First, let’s take a look at a few players that deserve contracts.

Jadeveon Clowney

Andrew Berry has made several excellent moves since being hired as the General Manager of the Browns in 2020. The signing of Jadeveon Clowney is arguably the best signing he’s done to date. Clowney had bounced around in the league since leaving the Houston Texans in 2018. He came to Cleveland with hope to earn a long term contract while playing on a one year prove-it deal. Needless to say, Clowney absolutely balled out for the Browns in 2021. He was, as usual, and elite run defender and he finished with 9 sacks, the most he has had since 2018. One of the most impressive things was that it was very noticeable when he wasn’t on the field. They felt like a different defense without him, and playing opposite of Myles Garrett definitely benefited his play. Having them play opposite of each other for years would make their defense even scarier. Andrew Berry needs to work to sign him to a 3 year deal for roughly $10 million a year.

David Njoku

It is no secret that Kevin Stefanski loves his tight ends. They are a big part of his offense, and David Njoku has only gotten better since Stefanski took over as the head coach. The box score stats will not blow you away, but “The Chief” is arguably the only mismatch Cleveland has on their roster right now and his athletic ability is truly remarkable. His career as a whole hasn’t been consistent, but he fits this offense and appears to be ready to take another step. He has always improved as a blocker, which was below average at when he came into the league. Njoku was the Browns leading receiver in 2021 finishing with 36 receptions for 475 yards and 4 touchdowns. Adding to all of that, Njoku said in a press conference that he loves Cleveland and wants to spend the rest of his career here. Make it happen, Andrew Berry.

The next section will be hard to read if you’re a die hard Browns fan. There are a few players that the Browns could move on from, save money, and give that money to the players mentioned above and others such as Denzel Ward. Below are two players that Andrew Berry should cut/trade in the 2022 offseason.

Jarvis Landry

Some would argue that the culture change started when Jarvis Landry was traded to Cleveland in 2018. His leadership is unmatched and he’s great for the locker room. There is no denying that. The issue is, his production just doesn’t line up with his hefty contract. In 2018-2020, Jarvis had good seasons, including two Pro Bowl selections. Regardless of that, he is still overpaid and coming off the worst year of his career in 2021, finishing with 52 receptions for 570 yards and only 2 touchdowns. He looks slower on the field and struggles to get separation. There is some hope that he will restructure his contract and stay in Cleveland, but he can be cut and save the Browns almost $15 million in cap space. We will see what happens, but it may be better to move on from him entirely.

Kareem Hunt

This could honestly go either way, but there is a chance that Kareem Hunt gets traded this offseason. He and Nick Chubb have been a great one-two punch the last few years, but Hunt missed substantial time in 2021 and third string running back D’Ernest Johnson picked up the slack and looked great as the primary and secondary running back. The Browns could trade him for draft capital and save $6.25 million in cap space. It does make sense to let him get healthy and play out his last year of his contract, but if Andrew Berry wants to make a move, he has a good option in Hunt. A lot of teams would immediately use the former rushing champion as their starter. Johnson would also need a contract in this scenario, so there are a lot of moving parts. It will be interesting to see what happens

The post Which players should the Browns keep and which players should they let walk? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.