NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 12: Jadeveon Clowney #99 of the Tennessee Titans talks with teammates during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts defeated the Titans 34-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Browns should look to add one more great edge rusher in free agency before it is too late.
The Cleveland Browns are off to a great start in free agency following a successful 2020 season. The biggest signing so far was landing safety John Johnson III on a three-year deal.
Adding Takk McKinley was another solid move that gives the Browns a former first-round talent looking to prove he deserves a long-term deal in 2022. McKinley will provide a boost to the pass rush to complement the great Myles Garrett.
But there is still another edge rusher out there the Browns should be considering. That would be Jadeveon Clowney.
Cleveland should make a run at Clowney
The Browns did reportedly make some good offers for Clowney in 2020 when he was also a free agent. He ultimately ended up taking a one-year, $12 million deal with the Tennessee Titans. Clowney is now in the same situation and teams are dealing with tighter budgets this year.
Cleveland is one team that does have money to spare and they already targeted Clowney last season. Spotrac also lists his projected salary at only $6.5 million in 2021. That is extremely affordable for the Browns considering they likely offered J.J. Watt much more money.
Clowney is an interesting player because he still has the hype of his past draft status surrounding his name. He is still only 28 years old, but had zero sacks last season in only eight games. The defensive end has not played in 16 games since 2017 and his career-high in sacks remains the 9.5 he had that same year.
That explains why the value has dropped well below $10 million annually. The Browns just added McKinley and adding Clowney would give the team three former first-round picks manning the ends.
Clowney could even end up in a rotational role and be a huge asset if he is only getting paid around $6 million.