The Cleveland Browns have done a great job of locking up a majority of their key young players. Going into the last offseason, four players were considered vital to get a deal done. Andrew Berry has gotten three of them signed in Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller and, now, Denzel Ward. The fourth player, Baker Mayfield, has been replaced by Deshaun Watson and his huge contract.
As noted, the salary cap could become an issue for the Browns but they are acting like all teams in their competitive window. Spending to keep top players can lead to losing other players from lower tiers. While teams can always figure out a way to sign their top guys, not a ton of players can be considered top guys.
With Ward locked up and Greg Newsome II playing well as a rookie after being the team’s first-round draft pick in 2021, it seems likely we will be seeing the last of Greedy Williams and Troy Hill as Browns. Both players are set for free agency after the year but face different reasons that they may not remain.
For Williams, his career has been a struggle of injuries, inconsistent play and fighting an uphill battle for playing time. As a second-round pick with upside, the former LSU cornerback played well in 2021. With Ward and Newsome having so many resources devoted to them, Williams will be likely to seek an opportunity to shine as a starting outside corner.
Whether it is for a lucrative multi-year deal after a good 2022 season or a one-year deal to prove his value for the future, Williams’ time in Cleveland is closer to its end than the beginning.
Hill is on the other end of the spectrum. After the 2022 season, the team’s slot cornerback will be 32 years old. Whether he is on the team or not, due to void years in his free-agent contract, the former Oregon product will cost the team over $5 million, total, in salary-cap space between 2023 and 2024. Bringing him back would just add to that cost.
Williams is an example of a player not in the top tier who will leave a competitive team for a chance to make more money and/or play a bigger role. Hill is an example of an aging player not in the top tier who is often replaced by a much cheaper player on a rookie contract.
For 2022, the Browns should have all four corners along with A.J. Green and special teamer Herb Miller. That group should make sure that the team’s pass coverage continues to be top-notch. After this season, Berry may look to Green, Miller or draft picks to step up into important roles to replace Williams and Hill.
