The first few days of free agency have taken many of the available premier NFL talents off the market. Andrew Berry and the Cleveland Browns nabbed a couple of those in Jack Conklin and Austin Hooper. Could they add another?
The biggest name with the best fit still on the market is Everson Griffen. The longtime Vikings defensive end was the victim of salary cap economics in Minnesota, but he could help the Browns a lot.
Griffen has made the Pro Bowl in four of the last five seasons, with 45 sacks over that timespan. The 32-year-old still has the first step, the outstanding hands and the burst around the corner to terrorize opposing QBs. He would fit nicely in Cleveland with old Vikings coaches Kevin Stefanski and Joe Woods, bringing more familiarity and another veteran to what has become a very young locker room.
Griffen would make a great DL balance opposite Myles Garrett. Both can play on either side of the formation. Griffen is a twitchier, relatively healthier upgrade over Olivier Vernon. As long as the Browns would save net cap room on the move, bringing in Griffen would be a great coup for the defense.
Some other remaining free agents worthy of long looks from the new Browns regime:
- WR Devin Funchess
- LB Alec Ogletree
- CB Xavier Rhodes
- DE Derek Wolfe
