When an NFL franchise loses 26 games in the past two seasons, it obviously has plenty of problems and holes to fill. Thank goodness the Cleveland Browns have free agency. Next month, the NFL draft will take care of the issues GM Andrew Berry did not fill.
Wednesday began the NFL league year. All contracts signed in the past few days will be processed and become valid.
RELATED: BROWNS FREE AGENT TRACKING LIST
And Berry has worked hard to find replacements for problem areas and expired contracts. But
there is still work to be done. The players that Berry signs now free up potential draft picks to be selected in a different area of need. The projections below are based on what it looked like prior to the start of NFL free agency. As time goes on, the market will drop and, in some cases, drop significantly.
Here are three that the Browns should look at very hard that would solve the remaining problem areas on the roster:
OT Rasheed Walker
Green Bay Packers
Age: 26
2025 PFF: 64.6
Walker (6’-6”, 324 pounds) is the #1 free agent tackle on the market this year. We don’t know why he is still available and can only assume he is mulling over the offers he has received, or that his agent is in negotiations that will drive up his client’s contract. He remains available not because he hasn’t gotten any interest, but because he can’t make up his mind which team to sign with.
For whatever reason, Berry should be in the ear of Walker’s agent continually, fighting to bring this young man to Cleveland.
Yes, right now, the Browns can field a whole new offensive line, including both tackles with Dawand Jones at left tackle and newly traded Tytus Howard at right tackle. But Jones gets hurt every year. In fact, he has been in the league for three years and has ended up on IR three times. He isn’t, and won’t, stay healthy. Instead of starting Jones, Berry can bring in Walker and make Jones the swing tackle.
Walker is a former defensive lineman, so he has that brute mentality. He has plenty of upside and is still a young man at age 26, so he has plenty of football left in his system. He is durable, having played in every game for the past three seasons with 52 NFL games played and 48 starts.
Projection: Four years, $81 million (see above note about market possibly dropping)
S Nick Scott
Carolina Panthers
Age: 31
2025 PFF: 67.8
Scott (5’-11”, 200 pounds) had the best season of his career, and yes, he is on the wrong side of 30. But the Browns need a seasoned veteran to come in a few seasons. It is not yet clear whether Ronnie Hickman will return, and if he does, Cleveland can still use a veteran to play that third safety or linebacker in the 4-2-5. And he owns a Super Bowl ring. If Hickman does not return, then the problem is solved and already in-house.
The Browns have a very good developmental player on the bench in Donovan McMillon, and just could end up with Caleb Downs of Ohio State in the NFL draft at pick #6, but that isn’t a real situation right now, whereas Scott is.
He offers versatility, is a team captain, and a leader. Highly athletic with 4.43 speed and a smart player in split-field coverage who will take on tight ends. He does struggle with change of direction and is considered a good, not elite, safety that can play box, strong, cornerback or linebacker. Very sound tackler.
Projection: Two years, $10 million
WR Jauan Jennings
San Francisco 49ers
Age: 29
2025 PFF: 68.3
Most likely, Cleveland will draft a young stud at receiver in the draft. But that is a month away, and one of the worst position groups on the team still does not have a new body in free agency.
And yes, Jennings has issues. He also has an extensive injury history, such as five broken ribs, a low ankle sprain, shoulder issues, and a high ankle sprain. But he is a player who will play through pain if not severe.
Already gone off the free agent list are much better options that Berry did not sign and bring in: Alec Pierce, Wan’Dale Robinson, Romeo Dobbs, Jalen Nailor, Rashid Shaheed, and Mike Evans. Every Browns fan would have loved to hear one of these guys’ names.
Jennings (6’-3”, 213 pounds) is the best free-agent receiver option at this juncture. He remains unsigned. But he is still a dynamic weapon. His best season was in 2024 when he had 975 yards. Last year, he set a career high in touchdowns with nine and played in 16 games with 12 starts, gained 643 yards with 90 targets and had 55 receptions, and converted 36 first downs. He did lose one fumble, but had 181 YAC.
He has played in 75 NFL games in his five seasons. Would love Mike Evans. Would be excited to see Alec Pierce in brown and orange. Wanted Rashid Shaheed in the Berea. But those dudes are no longer an option, and the best available right now is Jennings.
Projection: Three years, $67 million
Which of the above three do you want the Browns to sign the most in NFL free agency?
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