As the Cleveland Browns look to keep their competitive window open, could they look at players like running back J.K. Dobbins or linebacker Jordyn Brooks in free agency?
Do not expect the Browns, led by general manager Andrew Berry, to sit on their hands this offseason. They can easily clear the necessary cap space to once again be as aggressive as they were a year ago to continue to improve their roster.
Expect the Browns to take one or two big swings, but their roster improvements will likely come in the form of under-the-radar contributors they find on a bargain. Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, and safety Rodney McLeod fit this mold from a year ago.
Who can they find in the margins this year to bulk up their depth while also finding day-one contributors when free agency rolls around? Here are 11 players who would make stellar bang-for-buck signings for Berry and the Browns to pursue when the new league year arrives.
Note: there are so many quality free agent defensive tackles that a follow-up article on just that position will also be completed. All player valuations and estimates used in this article are from Over the Cap.
DE Dorance Armstrong
An unsung hero on the defensive side of the ball for Dallas, Dorance Armstrong is a football player.
In a rotational role, Armstrong has racked up 16 sacks over the last two years, proving to be a strong contributor over the last three years for the Cowboys in total. As Za’Darius Smith hits free agency, the Browns will be looking for another defensive end.
There is potential to bring Smith back, start Alex Wright, or go after another big name. However, if they opt to add strong contributors on a budget and allocate their money elsewhere, Armstrong is a solid, solid player to target.
Over the Cap values Armstrong at just over $5 million per year.
RB Zack Moss
It has become quite clear that Jerome Ford, Kareem Hunt, and Pierre Strong Jr. are not going to cut it. The Browns, even if they get Nick Chubb back to full strength in Week 1, need to add another body or two to their running back room.
Enter Zack Moss, who stepped in seamlessly as the Colts worked through the contract standoff and injury with Jonathan Taylor. Moss broke out for a career year in 2023, rushing for 794 yards and five touchdowns. He added another 192 yards and two touchdowns on 27 catches out of the backfield as well.
If Chubb is not ready to go, or if another injury bug were to bite, the Browns must be better insured. Moss would give them that coverage. Over the Cap estimates his value right around $4 million per year.
QB Jameis Winston
The Browns need to think long and hard about their backup quarterback situation. If Joe Flacco were to get a better offer somewhere else, are they comfortable running it back with Dorian Thompson-Robinson as the second-string option behind Deshaun Watson?
If not, why not go out and get the former first overall pick in Jameis Winston to give themselves one of the best backups in the business?
Even better? His estimated value is right around the league minimum.
RB J.K. Dobbins
A big risk given his injury history, but J.K. Dobbins is a premier running back in the NFL when he is healthy. After bout after bout with injuries, however, what kind of player is left in him?
Given his injuries, however, he will be cheap.
WR Josh Reynolds
Despite a rough showing in the NFC Championship game, Josh Reynolds has been nothing but a grinder for both the Lions and the Rams throughout his career.
As the Browns look to revamp and round out their wide receiver room, adding a name like Reynolds to the back of the group would pay dividends on the field. Taking advantage of sparing targets throughout his career, Reynolds had a career year in Detroit in 2023. He racked up over 600 yards and five touchdowns as a depth piece.
He is coming off of a two-year, $6 million deal and will likely command more than that as he hits the market this offseason.
WR K.J. Osborn
Another grinder at the wide receiver position, K.J. Osborn has been a steady target as he has played alongside Pro Bowlers Stefon Diggs, Adam Theilen, and 2022 Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson.
A consistent slot receiver who has return ability, Osborn has the making of a third or fourth option in a wide receiver room as he hits free agency. Seeing between 75-90 targets over the last three seasons, Osborn’s production has been solid. In that span, he has averaged right around 600 yards and five touchdowns per season.
If the Browns can nab him at his estimated value of $6.2 million per year, they have the potential to land a glue guy in their wide receiver room.
TE Josiah Deguara
With Harrison Bryant set for free agency, the Browns could be in the market for a move piece that can play in the slot, at fullback, or in-line at tight end. The former Cincinnati Bearcat Josiah Deguara may be their answer.
Deguara did not get a ton of run in a very similar offense in Green Bay, making him a quite inexpensive option to add a versatile body to their tight end room. If the Browns look to cut corners at the tight end position behind David Njoku while potentially adding another in the draft, Deguara gives them options.
OT Josh Jones
The offensive tackle market a year ago was absurd with names like Andre Dillard getting $10 million per year. Do not expect teams to light up the position the same way this year.
Former third round pick Josh Jones, in fact, is valued at under $2 million per year. The Browns need a better answer at offensive tackle behind their starters. To their credit, no team needs to prepare to be five or six deep at offensive tackle the way the Browns had to be in 2023.
They still need to consider upgrading their depth, however, and adding Jones would do just that.
LB Jordyn Brooks
Year after year, it seems like linebacker Jordyn Brooks continues to fly under the radar as one of the NFL’s steadiest producers.
Strong against the run and in coverage, Brooks is a complete linebacker (and the better linebacker in Seattle for the last three years) who just does his job. He will be just 27 years old in 2024 as he enters the fifth year of his career after being selected in the first round out of Texas Tech.
Somehow, his estimated value is just a measly $4.7 million per year. If the Browns could upgrade their MIKE position with Brooks, pairing him with Pro Bowler Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, they would have a sneaky stellar linebacker room in 2024.
S Jeremy Chinn
With the aging vet Rodney McLeod likely moving on after a serious season-ending injury late in 2023, the Browns will be in the market for another versatile third safety to put in the room with Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill.
Undrafted rookie Ronnie Hickman, while he had his flashes, proved to be a massive liability in the playoff loss to the Houston Texans, leaving room to wonder if the Browns should rush him back out there in 2024. Carolina’s Jeremy Chinn, estimated at just $1.9 million per year, could be their man.
Built like a linebacker and runs like a cornerback, Chinn is a freak who was left out to dry after defensive coordinator Phil Snow departed following his sophomore season. Getting back into an attacking system like Jim Schwartz deploys could get Chinn back to firing on all cylinders.
And on a budget.
