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Per a report from Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Cleveland Browns are preparing to sign free agent wide receiver DeAndre Carter to a one-year deal. According to the report, the deal includes $800,000 guaranteed.
Carter, who played for the Chicago Bears last year, is primarily a kick and punt returner. He had just nine receptions for 72 yards this past season. In the 13 games he appeared, he returned 15 kickoffs at an average of 31.9 yards per attempt. On his 17 punt returns, he averaged 9.3 yards per attempt.
2024 was the first year of the dynamic kickoff, so the Browns have a better idea of how it will play out. Both in terms of what they want to do as well as how opponents will defend it. Carter's 31.9 average is significantly better than anyone who returned kickoffs for the Browns this past year. Save for Kaden Davis's one game where he returned three kicks at an average of 35.7 yards, the team's best returner was running back Jerome Ford. Ford's average was just 25.9 yards per attempt and that included a 58-yard return. Carter's long was only 38 yards so he never broke one which would dramatically improve his average. He was consistent.
On punts, Carter's 9.7 yard average is solid. The goal is to get to at least ten, effectively gaining a first down with every return. Wide receiver Jaelon Darden averaged 10.6 yards per return on 22 attempts. He ended up being signed off the team's practice squad by the Seattle Seahawks. He remains on their roster.
The Browns will be Carter's seventh different team in the NFL. He's played for the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and the Bears. The 5'8" 190 pound receiver played collegiately at Sacramento State and will be 32 years old before the start of the season.
The Browns are coming off a brutal season in terms of special teams. From the return game to field goals and some of their coverage units, the Browns were significantly worse than 2023. Carter is part of an effort to see major improvement.
The team has also signed players including edge rusher Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, defensive tackle Maliek Collins and offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas. In what has remained a slow free agency period not only for the Browns but the league as a whole, the team still has questions at positions including quarterback, running back and safety.