The give and take of the NFL is consistent with roster changes happening throughout the year and around tentpole events. The start of the NFL league year sees the opening of NFL free agency, where teams shuffle bodies in an attempt to right the wrongs of the past season or add to the success from the previous year.
For the Cleveland Browns, NFL free agency was all about making over the offensive line. That continued, plus more additions on offense, in the 2026 NFL draft. Following the draft, a number
of veteran moves were made in free agency, including the Browns bringing in FB Michael Burton. Burton has a long history as a blocking back in the NFL with special teams experience as well.
While many fans were hopeful that CB Martin Emerson Jr. could make a return to Cleveland, once healthy after an Achilles tear at the start of training camp last year, the former third-round pick ended up signing with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday:
Cleveland GM Andrew Berry had noted that the team was interested in an Emerson return, but thought that the veteran would look to sign somewhere where he could compete on the outside. The Browns have CBs Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell locked into those roles.
Emerson spent four seasons in Cleveland, starting 33 of 50 games he played in, with four career interceptions after being selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Mississippi State.
Do you think the Browns should have done more to bring Emerson back or did the addition of Campbell seal his future being someplace other than Cleveland? How would you summarize Emerson’s time in the orange and brown?
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
