The Cleveland Browns currently have over $58.3 million available in cap space, 9th-most in the NFL, after the releases of T.J. Carrie (DB), Adarius Taylor (LB), Eric Kush (OG), and Demetrius Harris (TE).
Having so much in available cap space is both a blessing and a curse. The Browns are blessed because they have the financial flexibility to go after free agents in a way 23 other teams cannot. They are cursed because their fanbase will spend all offseason looking at the large number and expecting the Browns to bring in every high-priced free agent on the market.
Just to have a little fun, here is a look at some of the key free-agent pieces the Browns could bring in.
Brandon Scherff, OG
The drumbeat of the offseason for the Cleveland Browns will be the offensive line, offensive line, and offensive line. By the time the draft rolls around you will be tired of seeing every mock draft call for the Browns to take an offensive lineman with their first-round draft pick. While the addition of Brandon Scherff to the mix would take a significant investment of assets, it also would not take the Cleveland Browns out of the running for an offensive lineman in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Overall, Scherff may be one of the best investments for the Browns this offseason. He is familiar with Browns’ new offensive line coach, Bill Callahan, who is only 28 years old, and because he does not play a premium position, the cost will likely be not as hefty as other free agents.
Market Value Projection per Spotrac.com: $12.4 million average annually
Arik Armstead, DL
This will be the most pie in the sky option I will present, even if it makes sense for the Browns. To make this work, the Cleveland Browns would likely have to release or rework the contract of defensive end Olivier Vernon and his $15.5 million cap hit. By releasing Vernon, the Browns would be able to add only a little more to the saved money and pay Vernon around $20 million a year.
This would give the Browns a unit of Garrett, Richardson, and Armstead wrecking every offensive line in the NFL for the 2020 season. This very same argument could be made for unrestricted free agent Chris Jones. I like the fit with Armstead more due to the premium of the position and Armstead’s familiarity with the Browns new defensive coordinator, Joe Berry.
Austin Hooper, TE
The true beauty of Hooper’s game doesn’t revolve around him being a game-breaker or dynamic. It revolves around him being a compliment to his surrounding pieces and finding ways to fit into the offense.
Over the last three seasons, Hooper has played over 700 snaps per season and has accumulated 250 targets while sharing the field with Julie Jones, Devonta Freeman, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu. He is used to being the outlet option and would fit in perfectly with the current construction of the pass catchers.
Market Value Projection per Spotrac.com: $9.9 million average annually
Jack Conklin, OT
Similar to adding Arik Armstead, the Cleveland Browns would need to make at least one roster move for this to make sense. By releasing offensive tackle Chris Hubbard, the Browns would find themselves with almost $5 million in additional cap space going into the 2020 offseason. The Browns could take the additional cap space and reinvest in their offensive line, specifically the right tackle. Again, this move does not take the Browns out of the running for an offensive lineman with their first pick, but it does address is a major need.
According to Pro Football Focus, PFF, Conklin finished as the 12th-best tackle in 2019 with a 78.3 grade. Additionally, PFF notes Conklin finished with the 6th best grade on zone runs in 2019. His addition to the offensive line would be an immediate boost.
Market Value Projection per Spotrac.com: $15 million average annually
Kendall Fuller, slot CB
It wasn’t long ago, 2017 to be exact, Fuller was considered one of the best slot defensive backs in the NFL. In 2017, Fuller earned a 90.6 overall PFF grade to go along with four interceptions and eight passes defended. Following his standout 2017 season with the Washington Redskins, Fuller was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs where his play rapidly declined and was subsequently moved to safety where his play only further declined. For the Browns, Fuller would immediately replace and upgrade the slot cornerback position, formerly held by T.J. Carrie, and will likely come at more of a bargain.
Case Keenum, QB
This is Baker Mayfield’s team and I am not looking to start a controversy. However, I believe Mayfield does need a professional with him in the quarterback room pushing him to be better and being a good role model for him.
With the addition of Keenum, the Browns would gain a serviceable backup if Mayfield would ever go down, a professional who can be someone for Mayfield to bounce ideas off of or show him the ropes, and has worked with current Browns offensive assistant, T.C. McCartney with the Denver Broncos. Finally, it would give the Browns the roster flexibility to only carry two quarterbacks on game day.
Jimmie Ward, S/CB
There are so many reasons for Cleveland Browns fans to jump on the Jimmie Ward bandwagon with me. Ward brings a familiarity with the scheme having played with the San Francisco 49ers and new defensive coordinator Joe Berry. More importantly, Ward has been a jack of all trades for the 49ers since being drafted, playing outside corner, slot corner, and every safety configuration you can come up with. In 2019, Ward’s career year, he spent 71% of his time at free safety and was able to break up eight passes and only missed three tackles all year.
HaHa Clinton-Dix, S
After betting on himself in 2019 with the Chicago Bears, Clinton-Dix underperformed his first-round billing and will likely have to take another prove-it deal going into the 2020 season. At 27 years old, Clinton-Dix appeared in every game for the Chicago Bears in 2019 and finished the year with 78 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. Even with this being his fourth team in three years, Clinton-Dix is still a solid player who has not missed a game in his career.
Karl Joseph, S
The No. 14 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Joseph came into the NFL with a projection similar to former Indianapolis Colts safety, Bob Sanders. He was known for his hard hits and playmaking ability in the secondary.
While Joseph’s numbers aren’t gaudy, he does have double-digit defensive stops every season and has flashed the ability to be a force in coverage. There is no denying the talent and skill of Joseph, but there are plenty of questions to ask if the Browns want to sign Joseph to a long-term contract.
