The draft is over and the free agent market is slowing down to a trickle. But there are still some veterans out there who can help the Cleveland Browns, if the price and fit are right.
Note that this is not a general “best free agents” list, because the Browns are not in the market for some of those players. These are realistic options the Browns could sign, not a dream list without context.
Everson Griffen
Griffen made the Pro Bowl in 2019, bagging eight sacks and 24 QB hits for the Vikings. That’s where coach Kevin Stefanski hails, of course, and Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods was on the defensive staff in Minnesota for the first few years of Griffen’s long and fantastic career, too.
Griffen is 32 but he’s still got “it”. The combination of get-off at the snap, bend around the edge, power to attack inside is all still there. The Browns are deep at EDGE with Myles Garrett, Olivier Vernon and Adrian Clayborn, but Griffen would take it to another level. His familiarity in the defensive scheme is a definite plus.
Darqueze Dennard
Dennard is a lower-budget, experienced slot corner with good coverage skills and some scheme versatility. The 28-year-old former Bengals starter has thrived in carrying receivers down the field, making life easier on safeties. Per Pro Football Focus, Dennard has the lowest completion percentage allowed on passes to slot receivers more than 10 yards down the field over the last three seasons.
Taylor Gabriel
The diminutive former Browns wideout is one of the most productive receivers on the market. Now 29, Gabriel caught 96 passes in the last two seasons for Chicago. He’s still got the “instantly open” quickness off the line and understands how to work the seams.
Gabriel suffered a concussion last season, limiting him to nine games. He would offer a different dimension to the Browns offense with his quickness, elusiveness and even some gadget-play ability.
Damon Harrison
“Snacks” is the prototypical nose tackle who erases two blockers from the offensive line equation. For several years, first with the Giants and then the Lions, Harrison was arguably the best interior line run defender in the league.
Harrison’s play fell off in 2019 and the Lions severed ties. Now 31, Harrison needs to play on a more limited snap count and kept as a 0/1 technique, where he’s still great. He and Andrew Billings would be a fantastic 1-2 punch at nose tackle if Harrison can handle playing on a low-budget, 1-year deal.
Clay Matthews
He’s turning 34 this month and hasn’t produced more than 43 tackles or eight sacks in a season since 2015, but Matthews still holds plenty of appeal in Cleveland, Matthews has morphed into playing more of an off-ball LB in recent years, and that’s where he can help the Browns.
Numerous injuries over the years have reduced his value and impact as a pass rusher, though Matthews can still time his blitz and finish the rush quite well. His experience and intensity would be a welcome addition to a Browns LB corps that sorely lacks seasoning. Just keep the expectations in line; he’s not the guy earning national endorsements anymore.
