The Cleveland Browns have made it a trend to attack free agency by targeting at least one former first rounder who requires a change of scenery. Could they do the same with names like defensive end Chase Young or offensive tackle Mekhi Becton when 2024 NFL free agency opens in March?
They’ve done it with safety Karl Joseph in 2020, defensive end Takk McKinley in 2021, and defensive tackle Taven Bryan in 2022. It’s a trend for the Browns to look at players with a great deal of upside who may just need a fresh start. It worked for McKinley, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury late in the 2021 season that hurt his chances of getting a new deal.
Especially spending on a tighter (although not penny-pinching) budget as well, this could be the way the Browns look to add young talent for cheap. It is a low-risk move that comes with a high reward if the player lives up to their potential.
Here are former first round reclamation projects the Browns could target when free agency rolls around this year.
DT Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco 49ers
The former 2020 first rounder had his best season yet, but now is set to hit the market. And there is a reason to believe he did not do enough to earn a significant offer on a second deal. This could be a similar situation to Taven Bryan in 2022 when the Browns were able to lock him down on a one-year deal for just $4 million.
With just two defensive tackles under contract, the Browns are going to have to rebuild that room. And Kinlaw at the right price could make a valuable rotational piece under the leadership of Dalvin Tomlinson.
DE Chase Young, San Francisco 49ers
Traded to the 49ers at the trade deadline, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has struggled to find his stride after multiple knee injuries that have set him back.
This was his best season since his rookie year, however, racking up 7.5 sacks and 74 total pressures for both the Commanders and Niners in 2023. His contract would be a bit pricier than that of Kinlaw, but it would be a massive surprise if the former Ohio State standout received more than a one-year deal in free agency.
CB Jeff Okudah, Atlanta Falcons
Another Ohio State product, Jeff Okudah was the best defensive back in the nation leading up to the 2020 NFL draft. However, it has been tough sledding for him to find his footing at the NFL level with both the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons.
What is promising, however, has been his tackling numbers throughout his career. He is still a twitchy athlete who moves well as well, potentially setting him up to give the slot a try on for size. Okudah has very minimal data inside, so projecting that move is a tough one to do.
However, as the Browns have a decision to make with cornerback Greg Newsome II, including potentially trading him, bringing on more cornerback depth in Okudah (who would be quite inexpensive) is worth at least a look.
The worst-case scenario is he doesn’t make the roster at the end of training camp and the Browns move on.
LB Isaiah Simmons, New York Giants
There is a chance that Isaiah Simmons is just not living up to expectations. There is also a chance he has not landed in a system that knows how to use him correctly. I’m willing to find out if it is the latter under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
The former top-10 pick has not found comfort with the Cardinals and then was moved to the Giants this season. He showed flashes when lined up at MIKE, but struggled at WILL for New York this season.
Well, guess what?
The Browns have a Pro Bowler at WILL and need a MIKE.
Could Simmons be the heir apparent to Anthony Walker Jr., whose time in Cleveland may be over?
OT Mekhi Becton, New York Jets
The Browns are set to take on the fifth-year of Jedrick Wills’ rookie deal, but he is coming off of a season-ending leg injury. Their other two tackles who are starting caliber are also coming off of season-ending lower body injuries in Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones.
Jones is penned in as a starter, and Conklin has the guaranteed money of a starter. The dead money to move Wills is quite minimal. He has an extremely tradeable deal in a league where there are not enough tackles who can start games at the NFL level.
Beyond Wills as well, the Browns scraped the bottom of the barrel at tackle with Geron Christian starting games in 2023 as well. Bringing in Mekhi Becton, who has struggled with his health and conditioning with the New York Jets, on a flyer deal is worth the risk for the Browns.
He would be working with notable offensive line coaches in Andy Dickerson and Roy Istvan, would not be a penciled-in starter, and would provide the Browns with depth in the case of more injuries.
If he can get right. And the Browns are an environment where he would have the chance to.
