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I thought this guy played pretty well for us. He was an upgrade in pass defense over any of our other LBers.

Report: Browns not pursuing free agent safety Ryan Neal at this time

Cory Kinnan
April 1, 2023 2:31 pm ET

Yesterday, the Seattle Seahawks revoked their tender on safety Ryan Neal, putting him on the market for NFL free agency. And while the Cleveland Browns are looking for a third safety in DIME looks, The OBR’s Brad Stainbrook is reporting they are currently not testing the waters with Neal at this point.

They have done an efficient job to plug holes on their roster throughout this free agency period. However, with the 2023 NFL Draft approaching, there are still some voids left to fill. The one left by the underperforming Ronnie Harrison is one of them. Look for safety to be addressed in the next four weeks, either in free agency or the draft.

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/202...medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

Browns: 5 Under-the-radar targets on the market in NFL free agency

Cory Kinnan
April 4, 2023 9:04 am ET

While the Cleveland Browns have already made quite a dent in their team needs throughout the first month of NFL free agency, there are still talented players on the roster. With the 2023 NFL Draft just three weeks away, they get an opportunity to add young talent there as well. However, there are still sleepers on the market in free agency for the Browns to consider.

Here are five names of players who may not be at the top of wishlists, but can come in and compete for depth spots on the roster, or even sneak into a starting role if they find their way to Cleveland.

RB Jerick McKinnon

Running back Kareem Hunt is still on the market as well, but the bridge between the Browns and him may be all but burned after his trade request last summer. Regardless, the Browns could benefit most from a change-of-pace back who can make plays in the passing game.

Winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs this past season, Jerick McKinnon played a role for the team both on the ground and through the air as they found ways to get him the ball in space. He can handle gadget snaps on jet sweeps, screens, and quick hitters.

The Browns would ask him to take on a similar role, one that does not command many touches. And for an offense that wants to get more explosive through the air, McKinnon may just be the answer as a gadget and change-of-pace back.


DT A'Shawn Robinson

Does A’Shawn Robinson count as an under-the-radar name?

Maybe not, but Robinson would come in and start at one-tech for the Browns from day one next to Dalvin Tomlinson if he joined the team. The Browns are visiting with veteran nose tackle Al Woods this week, but Robinson is another name that could fill a similar role if they do not land the former Seattle Seahawk.

He can anchor doubles and allow his linebackers to clean up behind him. This has been desperately needed in Cleveland for a team that ranked dead last against the run. Robinson would be a great signing this late into free agency.


EDGE Ben Banogu

The Browns landed Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, a signing that could go down as one of general manager Andrew Berry’s best in his tenure, to play opposite Myles Garrett in 2023. However, they do not have a rotational pass rush specialist on their roster on their bench.

Second-year player Alex Wright will likely take over as the rotational big end, but outside of him the roster only holds seventh-rounder Isaiah Thomas and practice squad end Sam Kamara. They certainly could draft a specialist, like Wisconsin’s Nick Herbig, or they could take a bigger swing on one in free agency on Leonard Floyd or Robert Quinn.

However, if they take a smaller swing on an ultra-athletic player who never figured it out with his first team, Ben Banogu could be their guy. After a solid rookie season, racking up 17 pressures on 272 snaps, Banogu quickly fell out of favor due to injuries and a change in defensive coordinator in Indianapolis.

For the cost of a one-year deal at a minimal cost, Banogu is worth the swing.

Browns NFL free agency
S Ryan Neal

With Ronnie Harrison’s time in Cleveland ending, the Browns are still looking for a third safety to come on the field in DIME looks. And after the Seahawks revoked his tender, Ryan Neal is now an unrestricted free agent worth taking a look at.

A year ago in Seattle, Neal racked up a ton of defensive snaps, aligning all over the field. He played over 400 snaps in the box, 128 snaps in the slot or outside, and another 236 snaps over the top of the defense. The 6-foot-3 and 200-pound safety is also coming off of a career year in Seattle.

With Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit patrolling the deep part of the field, new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz could get creative with how to deploy Neal in sub-packages and DIME looks.

S/NB Joshua Kalu

Nickel cornerback has turned into a full-time starting job at the NFL level as opposing offenses are throwing speed on the field, and a ton of it. With Greg Newsome II looking to play outside only in 2023, the Browns currently do not have a nickel cornerback on their roster.

There is one still on the market that Schwartz was close to a year ago with the Tennessee Titans in Joshua Kalu. While listed as a safety, Kalu played a massive 207 snaps in the slot, starting five games there full-time for the Titans in 2022. And according to PFF (understanding that player grades are volatile-at-best), those were some of Kalu’s best games of the season.

He finished the season with 24 solo tackles, a tackle for loss, five passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble. Versatile, productive, and at a position of need, Kalu’s familiarity with Schwartz may just be a bonus as well.

Playing in the nickel, coming on the field in DIME looks and other sub-packages, and contributing over 200 snaps on special teams a year ago, Kalu would make an immediate impact on this football team.

https://brownswire.usatoday.com/lis...medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

AShawn Robinson would be a really good signing if they choose to go that way. I believe he played with Dalvin Thomlinson in college and has some chemistry with him.

As long as he is healthy, I think it would be best for OBJ to go to KC. I think going to NY w/Rodgers and his on again--off again retirement talks is a risky move considering Zack Wilson is the backup.

Gotta spend that money they had earmarked for Lamar somewhere, I guess....

lolz

15 million too much.

I'd bet $100 OBJ is injured by week 6 and on IR by week 16.

OBJ to the Ravens. Who is going to throw him the ball.
There are a lot of options out there.

This guy.

im betting on neither of them making it thru a full year

LMAO, OBJ, to the Ravens for 18 million? Fools-gold strikes again! Two million a catch, wow, just wow.

His cap hit is 15 mill guaranteed right? Crazy.

Yeah, this feels way too much, IMO. But perhaps this is what they were willing to pay in the hopes it's settles tensions with Lamar. The extra millions was the price to pay in order to lock him up?

Ravens in desperation mode and throwing Hail Mary’s. Can’t say I have ever seen them act out of desperation before.

Todd Monken and OBJ reunite!

First people here said he would never get anything close to what he was asking for. Now that he has they are switching strategies. Interesting.....

Well he is not worth it

I'm afraid it was a good move for the rats to get OBJ, because somehow I keep seeing a new @b there, now I'm not sure if it is, dude who could go #2 overall Stroud, or if it is the Bears @b who winds up there, or even Cam Newton, or the dude who played last year in New England, but, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Ravens, spit, wind up with an exciting new @uarterback to throw to OBJ, who is Not Lamar Jackson or Tyler Huntley.

OBJ will probably have 600 yards and 5 TDs all year of which half will come against the Browns.

What Lamar? Odell is the new WR! They don't need a franchise QB. Their backup is better than Baker according to most... Odell will thrive there I'm sure. And I'm anxious to see him fail.

I heard that OBJ signed with the Ravens because he was recruited there by Lamar and that OBJ signed with the understanding that Lamar would be the Ravens Qb.

How much of that is true? I don't know. But I think it would be awesome if Lamar convinced OBJ to sign with the Ravens so that he would take up a bunch of cap space allowing another team to structure a contract in a way that the Ravens could no longer match.

Or possibly all of which will come in one game against us. He'll do nothing the rest of the season. What could be more Browns?

Lamar will be playing, it may be his last year, under the TAG, but he will be playing in Baltimore, and OBJ knew that as Lamar probably told him that.

OBJ finally has a QB that can go off script when the
Play breaks down and still make a throw downfield.
Beckham will alter his routes if the QB is flushed out
Of pocket. Baker could never improv as a QB.
If the exact play dialed up didn't work, Baker was dead
In the water.
OBJ and Lamar will make the Ravens a playoff viable
Team again. Not good enough for a SB but a playoff team.

Dont know what you were watching his first year

NFL free agency: 6 defensive ends still available for Browns to sign

Leonard Floyd, Yannick Ngakoue, Frank Clark lead the list of current edge free agents
By JaredMueller@JaredKMueller Apr 10, 2023, 5:10pm EDT 1 Comment / 1 New

The Cleveland Browns have been very active in free agency and have eight draft picks available in the upcoming NFL draft. Despite both of those things, GM Andrew Berry could be looking to add to the roster if things make sense.

Given the lack of inactivity around the league, outside of Odell Beckham Jr. signing, NFL free agency might be on a pause until teams finalize their draft boards. There is normally a push to sign remaining free agents shortly after the draft and rookie minicamps.

Cleveland gets a bump in salary cap on June 1st of around $10 million.

For the Browns, the defensive end position could be an area where they look to address. While Ogbonnia Okoronwko was an important signing to join Myles Garrett, second-year players Alex Wright and Isaiah Thomas are the only depth at the position.

A quick look at the remaining free agents available at the position gives us six veterans that could come in and be a part of the rotation next year:

Frank Clark - The Cleveland area native has lost a step but played in 61% of Kansas City’s snaps last year and produced five sacks and eight tackles for loss.

Yannick Ngakoue - An undersized edge rusher, Ngakoue is a liability against the run but had 9.5 sacks last year and could be a force as a situational pass rusher with the Browns.

Bud Dupree - Dupree was overpaid leaving Pittsburgh and has struggled to stay healthy. His success came when attention was sent to other players in the past so playing with Garrett could help.

Leonard Floyd - Just 30 years old, Floyd has had over nine sacks each of the last three seasons and has played in 75% or more of his team’s snaps, without missing a game, the last five years. A lot of consistency from Floyd.

Markus Golden - The lesser known name on the list, Golden had just 2.5 sacks last year after 11 the year before but continues to get pressure on the quarterback with 20 QB hits in 2022.

Melvin Ingram - 34 years old, Ingram came into the league in 2012 and continue to help his teams as a pass rusher, primarily. Playing in under 45% of Miami’s snaps last year, Ingram had six sacks, seven tackles for loss and 10 QB hits.

The edge rusher position has a variety of players that could help a number of teams next year outside of those six names including Justin Houston, Kyle Van Noy and others. Jadeveon Clowney also remains a free agent but a return to the Browns would shock just about everyone including Clowney and the team.


https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/...k-ngakoue-leonard-floyd-jadeveon-clowney

NFL free agency: 5 defensive tackles still available for Browns to sign

Al Woods recently visited but didn’t sign, four other DTs available in free agency
By JaredMueller@JaredKMueller Apr 11, 2023, 9:32am EDT 1 Comment / 1 New


The busy season in the NFL has slowed down tremendously. While a random signing will pop up here and there, NFL free agency hits mostly a pause a couple of weeks before the start of the NFL draft. Few rumors will be circulating, few visits will be made by veterans and all the focus will be on the incoming rookies.

That pause also allows us to reset the market in free agency. Who is still available and how might they fit the Cleveland Browns?

Yesterday we looked at defensive ends still available in NFL free agency. Today we move inside to defensive tackles.

It can get slightly complicated talking about defensive tackles because there are really two different positions on the inside. Much like free safety and strong safety, defensive tackle could mean a penetrating 3-technique or a lane-clogging nose tackle.

Here are five players still available in free agency on the interior of the defensive line with a majority more nose tackles than 3-technique players at this point in their careers:

Al Woods - We know that Woods visited with the Browns last week but left without a contract. Nearing the end of his career, Woods is a stout run defender but will provide very little on passing downs. He hasn’t played more than 47% of his team’s snaps since 2017 when his career high was 52.6%.

A’Shawn Robinson - Another nose tackle, Robinson has had knee issues that could impact his availability. He hasn’t played more than 46% of his team’s snaps since 2017 when his career high was 67.6%. (Yes very similar to Woods.) Robinson was one of the original players in our pre-agency mock offseason along with three players Cleveland did sign.

Akiem Hicks - Hicks is a huge player at 6’5” and over 320 pounds. Last year with Tampa Bay, Hicks had a falloff in play. He played in just 11 games with one sack, two tackles for loss and four QB hits. The year prior, in just nine games, he had 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss and nine hits on the quarterback.

Matt Ioannidis - After a few nose tackles, Ioannidis a 3-technique player under 300 pounds on the list. While he has never matched his 8.5 sack total from 2019, he has been able to get pressure with 20 combined QB hits the last two seasons. Last year with Carolina, Pro Football Focus gave him a good overall grade (66.4) and an even better pass rush grade (69.1).

Poona Ford - Ford will be just 28 this year making it surprising that he is still on the free agent list. The primary reason is likely his height. At just 5’11”, Ford doesn’t fit anyone’s prototype which is part of the reason he was undrafted. Ford has been productive with multiple sacks each of the last three seasons, playing in over 55% of his team’s snaps those years while using his low center of gravity to create leverage points.

The Browns have already added three players to the interior of their defensive line this offseason. Perhaps if they strike out in the NFL draft, signing one of these five would materialize. The visit with Woods is proof that they are not yet satisfied with the group that they have.


https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/...W5WactweothXm3jt47Jh9bLIfqn8gdLgQav7pge8

At this point, I wouldn't expect us to sign any more new names, unless they come dirt cheap, until after June 1st. Clowney was designated as a post-June 1 release, so we will free up something like almost $2.8 million at that time (which means that he will still be counting against our Cap next year, too).

j/c:

Baker a $4 million base. OBJ w/a $15 base. The Fabulous Baker Boys continue to deny reality.

We'll see how it pans out. I can't wait. Want to put a small bet on Baker? If he is the starter all season, I bet he will take them into the playoffs. Under those conditions, he must start all season and then we bet on if he gets them into the playoffs; straight bet I say he does, you say he doesn't, loser donates $100 to Purp for DT. With your money and cockiness, this should be an easy yes.

Technically.....

Beckham's 'base' is $1.165M
Mayfield's 'base' is $1.125M

It's the guaranteed money and how it's amortized over the next handful of years along with any bonus. Beckham will cost the Ravens $11M in dead cap in 2024 based on this 1- year contract and in additional $2.7M annually through 2027.


https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/odell-beckham-jr-14421/
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tampa-bay-buccaneers/baker-mayfield-25096/

Johnson also a June 1 cut. I forget the cap room from that, but larger than Clowney. 10M or so?

I wonder when that money becomes available is when they sign a guy like DPJ to an extension.....maybe front load some of the guaranteed money with the available cap money since most major FA signings and extension will be pretty much over? Not sure this is the Berry way of doing things, but just a thought.

And someone still can't get Baker off of their brain. It's obvious who is obsessed with Baker. It's the guy who can't seem to keep his name out of his mouth.

Coming from the guy who had Sashi Brown in his signature for two years.

And I have someone elses name in my signature now.

Quick question. Was Sahi's name in my sig. for two years after he left the Browns?