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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Cory Kinnan

Stay or Go: Which free agents will return and who will walk?

With free agency set to begin next week, will defensive end Za’Darius Smith and quarterback Joe Flacco return to the Cleveland Browns?

Looking to keep their roster competitive again in 2024, the Browns will be active this offseason on the trade market and in free agency. Last year, they were able to go out and get defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, wide receiver Elijah Moore, defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, Smith, and more. They were also able to retain their own talent with names like center Ethan Pocic, linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki, and backup guard Michael Dunn all returning a year ago.

What kind of damage can the Browns do in free agency this offseason? More importantly, how many of their own free agents will they be able to bring back as well?

Let’s play “stay or go” for all 26 pending free agents set to hit the market next week. How many will the Browns bring back in 2024? Will Smith and Flacco be among them?

DE Za'Darius Smith: Stay

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The Browns want Smith back, and if they made it work with Jadeveon Clowney on a one-year, $10 million deal, then they can make it work here as well.

QB Joe Flacco: Stay

Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Steam is building for Flacco to return to Cleveland in 2024.

DT Maurice Hurst: Stay

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 29: Maurice Hurst II #90 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates an interception during the third quarter of a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Coming off of an injury, the Browns will be able to sign Hurst to a minimum deal once again. He’s a valuable rotational piece who loves Cleveland.

DT Shelby Harris: Stay

(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Harris is nearing the end of his career. Why not go out playing next to Myles Garrett and with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz?

TE Harrison Bryant: Go

Mandatory Credit: Yannick Peterhans-USA TODAY Sports

Bryant will continue to be TE3 at best for the Browns and could find greener pastures out there. The Browns can replace him for just the price of a Day 3 pick as well.

WR Marquise Goodwin: Go

CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 17: Marquise Goodwin #3 of the Cleveland Browns catches a pass during the fourth quarter of a game against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Due to his injury history and sickle cell complications, Goodwin could be closer to retirement than signing with another team.

DT Jordan Elliott: Go

Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

After four years together, it’s probably best for both sides to partake in a divorce.

P Corey Bojorquez: Stay

(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

WR Jakeem Grant: Go

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Playing just one down of football in a Browns uniform, the back-to-back season-ending injuries are not overcomable.

CB Mike Ford: Stay

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

He’s a valuable special teamer who will come cheap. Ford will be back.

LB Matthew Adams: Stay

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

See above.

RB Kareem Hunt: Go

Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Hunt will be remembered fondly in Cleveland, but there is no juice left in those legs.

S Rodney McLeod: Go

(Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports)

A season-ending injury late in the year for an aging vet is a hard thing to come back from.

LB Jordan Kunaszyk: Stay

(Jeff Lange-USA TODAY NETWORK)

Like Adams and Ford, Kunaszyk is a cheap special teamer. The trick is finding a way to keep him off the field defensively.

LB Anthony Walker Jr.: Go

(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

After three years, it’s clear the injuries have zapped the play of Walker Jr. It’s time to move on.

S Duron Harmon: Go

(Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Brought in due to injuries, the Browns have no real need to bring Harmon back.

QB Jeff Driskel: Go

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jeff Driskel (12) reacts after throwing an interception in the first quarter during a Week 18 NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

Next.

LB Jacob Phillips: Go

Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports

After four years and four season-ending injuries, it’s time to move on from Phillips.

LT Geron Christian: Go

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

If the Browns find themselves in need of Geron Christian again then there are some bigger underlying issues.

WR James Proche II

Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

A returner in a pinch this past season, it would be surprising to see Proche back.

LB Sione Takitaki: Stay

Dec 17, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) celebrates a tackle during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland’s starting SAM linebacker, it’s hard to find a more consistent player than Takitaki.

QB P.J. Walker: Stay

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t be shocked if Walker lands back on the practice squad next year.

OG Michael Dunn: Stay

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Every year Michael Dunn hits the market and every year Michael Dunn returns.

FB/C Nick Harris: Go

Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The selection of Luke Wypler a year ago seemed to paint the picture of Harris’ future in Cleveland.

DE Sam Kamara (ERFA): Stay

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

As an exclusive rights free agent, the Browns can bring back Kamara for cheap. He’s been a mainstay on their practice squad.

OT Ty Nsekhe (SFA): Go

Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Another guy brought into the building due to injuries, it would be odd for the Browns to bring back a 39-year-old offensive tackle who suffered a season-ending injury.

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