The first day of free agency has wrapped up, and the Cleveland Browns have made a couple of moves to improve their team. There have been some additions to the team with a few subtractions, but if you follow the Browns closely enough, the team rarely makes splashes on the first day. It’s usually the second and third days that the team begins to figure out the moves to make.
On Day 1 of NFL free agency, some activity is better than no activity at all.
Browns miss out on C Tyler Linderbaum, but price was too high
Former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum was expected to cash in this free agency. Linderbaum got his pay, but it was not from a team in the AFC North. Instead, it was by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The difference between the Browns and the Raiders is that the Raiders have enough cap space and are required to spend cash to make splash moves in free agency. Cleveland has the ability to make splashes, but not to the level that the Raiders can make. Las Vegas’ roster is lacking, with only one player making more than $10 million a year.
It is reported that the Browns were interested in Linderbaum, but the price to pay for Linderbaum was too high, and considering the other holes on the team, it would have caused possible issues in terms of figuring out the rest of the roster.
Browns lose LB Bush to Bears, but find replacement in LB Quincy Williams
The Browns lost linebacker Devin Bush to the Chicago Bears (Bush signed a 3-year, $30 million guaranteed contract), but replacing him with linebacker Quincy Williams was a good backup plan. Bush was going to get paid, and the Browns were trying to get him back, but the price was slightly too high. Williams, who comes over from the New York Jets, is a solid replacement and has a history with current defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg. Williams struggled this past season with the Jets (mainly due to the scheme fit), but when in the correct scheme, Williams is a solid linebacker.
Linebackers coach Jason Tarver has had success with reclamation projects (like Bush), so Williams will be another test for Tarver (and Rutenberg) to help get back to an elite level.
Browns invest in offensive line, sign G Zion Johnson
The offensive line was the biggest talking point of the Browns this offseason, considering how the unit would have to be replaced. The Browns started early with the trade of Tytus Howard, and the team continued with the signing of left guard Zion Johnson.
Johnson, who spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, comes over as a starter at either left or right guard. The Chargers offensive line fell apart due to injuries to both tackles, but Johnson was the lone bright spot on a below average offensive line. Johnson is a stout run blocker, struggles against the pass and has difficulty recognizing and picking up stunts, but he’s only 26 years old. Johnson is an above average player, but the Browns need any form of help along the offensive line.
Expecting the Browns to be among the biggest spenders in free agency was unwise. It’s not because the team is unwilling to spend; it’s more about the fact that the Browns rarely make splashes during the first wave of free agency. The free agency class is not strong this year, so it wouldn’t make sense for the team to give out money to players who could potentially get cut in 2 or 3 years.
Just because a team spends a ton of money on the first day of free agency does not mean it translates to great results. The team is looking for ways to improve the team, even if the team were to be ranked in the top half of the league in salary cap space, they would not burn a hole in their pocket to fill out their roster.