CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans!
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
After a period of relative inactivity, the Browns were busy yesterday, signing several free agents and building depth on their roster. Let's unpack the latest, which gives me a chance to offer borderline-irrational takes on the game of football from a fan perspective, because I'm the webdork and no one can stop me. NO ONE, lest I take revenge by removing their access to the site or something. I don't know what, but I have many webdorkian powers. Fear me.
Throughout the free agency process, I've felt that the Browns would be looking for value rather than big splash signings, and I think that's been backed up by their behavior so far, despite signing some decently hefty agreements on the offensive line.
As the Cleveland Browns have the best defensive player in the league in Myles Garrett, we might be able to say that edge rushing is a strength of the team. Why not lean further into that strength if the Browns think they can find appropriate value that helps preserve their flexibility to continue investing in their biggest-need areas (OL, QB, WR)? That's what they appear to have done yesterday, signing A.J. Epenesa, the defensive end formerly of the Buffalo Bills, to a one-year deal believed to be worth about $5 million. Epenesa is 26 years old and has spent four years developing in Buffalo's system, appearing in 56 games with 11 starts. He's best known as a situational pass rusher with good size (6'5", 275 lbs) and a solid pass rush win rate, and he gives the Browns some depth at edge, plus providing a bit of a distraction for offenses attempting to dedicate the entirety of the left side of their offensive line to holding, chipping, and biting Myles Garrett to keep their quarterback alive.
The Browns also re-signed their own Julian Okwara, a 2025 practice squad denizen who provides even more depth as Mike Rutenberg tries to keep Jim Schwartz's dream of an unstoppable pass rush alive.
A.J. Espenesa
A.J. Espenesa (Photo: Getty)
Elsewhere, the Browns made a much-needed special-teams investment in their coverage and return units, something I feel has been lacking for several years, helping doom Bubba Ventrone during his tenure here. The team added safety Daniel Thomas to a two-year deal. Thomas has carved out a long career as a core special teams contributor and backup safety, bouncing between several teams. At 30 years old, he's not a starter, but he's a trusted veteran who can step in on defense in a pinch and be a fixture on special teams units that have struggled in recent years. The Browns also brought in wide receiver Tylan Wallace, who has primarily been a special teams ace during his NFL tenure but can contribute as a depth receiver as well.
Meanwhile, the Browns are pushing to allow NFL clubs to trade draft picks up to five years into the future. It's officially on the table for discussion at the Annual League Meeting, but given how significant the change is, the odds are against it passing (it requires 24 votes to become the law of the land). Currently, teams can only trade picks up to three years out.
In an NFL that, to quote Bill Parcells, stands for "Not For Long," the ability to trade picks up to five years out would be a game-changer, particularly for executives under the gun to win now or lose their jobs. The concern is that it would help enable mismanagement of the type Cleveland fans have seen before (anyone here remember Ted Stepien?) with more picks to deal for immediate help.
On another note, Penn State QB Drew Allar looked healthy and impressive at his pro day, showing off arm strength that could push him into the middle rounds, perhaps as high as mid-to-late third round. The temptation will be there for the Browns as they get deeper into Day Two of the draft with a questionable quarterback room.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
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THE LIFT
Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
Keanu Reeves has been secretly donating money to cancer research for over 20 years
Is Keanu Reeves actually too good to be true? Everything I read about this guy is that he's kind, quietly offering his support on everything from cancer support to buying a new home for his childhood nanny. I bet he cheats at Trivial Pursuit or Solitaire or something. No one is that perfect.
WRAPPING UP
When not cheating at solitaire, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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