There has been plenty of free agents that have agreed to terms with teams around the league and their contracts will become official Wednesday at 4:00 P.M. ET. Although a number of unrestricted free agents are off the board, there is still a good chunk of guys that are waiting to find their next destination. Considering the Browns have only made four signings, they should have a few more up John Dorsey’s sleeve.
I cannot speak for Dorsey or even try to pinpoint what I think he’s trying to do, however, I can put myself in his shoes. With that being said, I have made myself general manager of the Cleveland Browns and have picked five players that should continue their careers in Orange and Brown.
Cornerback Ronald Darby
When initially brainstorming for this article, I wrote down three positions that I believed the Browns needed an upgrade…cornerback was one of them.
Denzel Ward proved last year why he was drafted No. 4 overall, showcasing true All-Pro cornerback potential. So much so, he was named a Pro Bowler in his rookie season. Outside of Ward, the No. 2 cornerback position is wide open.
Darby had a great start to his career in Buffalo, as he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team in 2015. Since then has battled injuries, including a torn ACL that ended his season in 2018.
When thinking of a solid No. 2 cornerback, Darby’s name absolutely comes to mind. A three-year deal with money front loaded on the contact would be a great move for the Browns’ secondary.
Linebacker Justin Houston
Back to that whole “three positions I believed Browns needed upgrading at”…linebacker was also one of them.
Although he is 30-years old, Houston was a cornerstone player for the Chiefs during his time in Kansas City. His four Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro nomination do nothing but add to a strong resume.
Dorsey signed Houston to a six-year, $101M contract in Kansas City, so it’s clear the Browns general manager has some sort of affection for him.
Houston would be an outstanding veteran presence in the locker room and could possibly become an essential piece to a playoff run. I’d like to see him on a two-year deal with a potential out after year two.
Cornerback Jason Verrett
To say that Verrett has had an injury-riddled career would be an understatement. He spent all of last year sidelined with an Achilles injury and in 2014, 2016, and 2017 he played a combined 11 games. In 2015 (his ‘healthiest’ season) he still was only able to play 14 games.
The one season that he was somewhat healthy, Verrett was a Pro Bowl cornerback. He would be a low risk-high reward type player for a Browns secondary that would not mind some more potential stardom.
I cannot say for certain that he would become anything of what he was in 2015, but it cannot hurt to take a flier. A one-year prove it deal for Verrett should be on the Browns’ radar.
Safety Earl Thomas
Well, this one was a late addition after Jabrill Peppers was traded away in a deal for some guy named Odell Beckham Jr. The Browns have shown that they are clearly ready to win now and Thomas would become an essential piece to the puzzle for a Super Bowl contender.
There is worry, considering he is coming off a leg injury at 29 years old. But who wouldn’t want to take a swing at arguably the NFL’s best safety over the last 10 years?
This almost seems like a no-brainer if the Browns can get him at the right price. A three-year deal for Thomas seems fair to me.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick
Talk about a move the Browns should absolutely make. Cleveland needs a backup quarterback that can go out and win football games at a moment’s notice, and Fitzpatrick can provide just that.
“Fitzmagic” had some jaw-dropping games in 2018 under now Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken. He is 36 years old and has been in the league for 14 years. His personality is one that would absolutely clique with that of Baker Mayfield’s.
Mayfield will be hard to take off the field even if he’s hurt but barring some sort of injury, Fitzpatrick is a guy that could possibly win the Browns one or two ball games. A two-year deal for Fitzpatrick would be a home run for Cleveland.
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland
A free agent last year, Breeland was targeted before by the Browns. He was initially on the team’s radar when free agency began in 2018 but he fell off after he failed a physical with the Panthers.
He eventually would visit with the Browns in late July but did not sign with the team. It would take a while for him to actually find a home, as the Packers did not end up signing him until late September.
During his time in Washington, Breeland was an underrated piece of the Redskins secondary. He could potentially pay big dividends for the Browns if he truly is healthy. I would like to see Breeland on a one-year “prove it” deal.
Safety Johnathan Cyprien
Continuing with the theme here, Cyprien will be coming off a torn ACL. He is also another late addition to this list after Peppers was dealt away.
In the first four years of his career, Cyprien collected over 100 combined tackles for Jacksonville.
Cyprien is an underrated player and could provide potential upside for the Browns at the “strong safety” position. I would like to see him on a one-year, prove-it deal for the veteran.
