Browns Linked to Vikings Again

In this daily series, we’ll meticulously examine the extensive pool of 633 unrestricted free agents poised to enter the market on March 11th at noon ET, marking the onset of negotiations between teams and players. However, it’s worth noting that many deals are often struck before this date, with the NFL Scouting Combine typically serving as the unofficial beginning of the tampering period. Some players may not even reach free agency, either due to being franchise-tagged before the March 5th deadline or receiving contract extensions from their current teams.

It’s crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach when evaluating free agents, considering every aspect of a team’s roster. Despite initial objections about covering specific positions where there may not seem to be a pressing need, it’s important to recognize that the landscape of free agency can significantly influence a team’s strategy regarding extensions, trades, and draft selections.

Teams like the Cleveland Browns, focused on immediate success, leverage free agency and trades to address starting positions while using backup and depth spots to nurture future starters. This forward-thinking approach enables them to make strategic draft picks, ensuring continuity and competitiveness in the seasons to come.

Throughout this series, we’ll delve into the profiles of unrestricted free agents across various positions, providing insights into why certain players are targeted or overlooked, and highlighting those who fall into a grey area of intrigue. Restricted free agents and exclusive free agents are excluded from our discussions, as they are less likely to reach free agency, given their tendency to return to their current teams.

We’ll categorize free agents into three groups: starting quality players, rotational/backup players, and depth/special teams players, covering all positions from quarterbacks to safeties. Additionally, we’ll offer insights from our VIP Roundtable, providing perspectives on potential team strategies and player acquisitions, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of the free agency landscape.

Join us as we navigate through the myriad options available in free agency, exploring the possibilities for roster enhancement and team improvement in the upcoming NFL season.

Then I will do one bonus article to end covering specialists since I have promised to look at all 633 players.

Previous Position Room

2020 – Sendejo, Joseph, Harrison, Redwine
2021 – Johnson, Delpit, Harrison, Stewart, LeCounte
2022 – Johnson, Delpit, Harrison, LeCounte, Bell
2023 – Thonhill, Delpit, McLeod, Bell, Hickman

Current Position Room

Juan Thornhill
2024 – $7,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
2025 – $7,000,000 (no guarantees)

Grant Delpit
2024 – $6,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
2025 – $12,000,000 (fully guaranteed)
2026 – $12,000,000 (no guarantees)

Ronnie Hickman
2024 – $915,000 (no guarantees)
2025 – $1,030,000 (no guarantees)
2026 – Restricted Free Agent

D’Anthony Bell
2024 – $985,000 (no guarantees)
2025 – Restricted Free Agent

Rodney McLeod
Unrestricted Free Agent

Duron Harmon
Unrestricted Free Agent

How Many In 2024

The Cleveland Browns are likely to head into the 2024 season with five safeties on the final 53-man roster, based on previous years they will have one on the practice squad as well.

WHO ISN’T INCLUDED
Exclusive Free Agents

These are players with less than three accrued seasons (6+ games on the roster) which means the team can retain them for the league minimum with no guarantees. These players can either sign it or retire, they have no negotiating power.

Colts – Henry Black
Ravens – Ar’Darius Washington
Chiefs – Nazeeh Johnson
Vikings – Theo Jackson
Chargers – Raheem Layne
Raiders – Isaiah Pola-Mao

Restricted Free Agents

These are players with three accrued seasons which means a team can tender them, the money isn’t guaranteed, other teams can then offer them contracts. The team owning their rights can match the deal to retain them or get the selected pick below by letting them walk. It is rare for teams to ever bid on these players.

Here are Over The Caps’s projections:
First Round – $6,464,000
Second Round – $4,633,000
Right of First Refusal – $2,828,000

Texans – Grayland Arnold
Steelers – Godwin Igwebuike

DURON HARMON

(Photo: Courtesy of the Cleveland Browns)
Current Team: Browns
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 215
Special Teams Snaps – 73

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: If he was willing to sign for training camp then I would certainly be interested in having his leadership in the building, he might only land on a practice squad in the end but he brings a significant experience to a young secondary. They don’t have a significant need for this role if they add one better safety added. The only reason they might look to this role is if they need cover until they add someone in the draft or another UDFA.

SAM FRANKLIN
Current Team: Panthers
Old Contract: RFA Tender

Defensive Snaps – 289
Special Teams Snaps – 312

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He has failed to really stand out the last couple of years so I would look elsewhere.

DEAN MARLOWE
Current Team: Chargers
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 298
Special Teams Snaps – 256

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: A good special teamer but lacking defensively so I would pass here and continue looking at other options.

ASHTYN DAVIS
Current Team: Jets
Old Contract: Rookie Deal

Defensive Snaps – 218
Special Teams Snaps – 394

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He had a really nice year both defensively and on special teams. I would certainly be up for taking a shot on him but I expect him to stay with the Jets or get an offer from a team that doesn’t have four safeties already locked into their roster.

CAMERON LEWIS
Current Team: Bills
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 146
Special Teams Snaps – 320

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: I would certainly make an enquiry on Cam Lewis but ideally I would prefer a more talented safety addition than someone who is going to be on the bottom of a roster battling for a spot on the team.

DARYL WORLEY

(Photo: Ravens Twitter)
Current Team: Ravens
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 124
Special Teams Snaps – 238

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: Last year was the first year he played a significant amount of special teams snaps. I wouldn’t mind adding him but I would continue looking for a range of players who could be a more ideal safety addition.

TERRELL BURGESS
Current Team: Commanders
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 120
Special Teams Snaps – 272

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: An above average special teamer but lacking in defensive quality, I would look elsewhere.

MILES KILLEBREW
Current Team: Steelers
Old Contract: $4m/2

Defensive Snaps – 111
Special Teams Snaps – 319

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: A very accomplished special teamer, I would certainly be a fan of adding someone with his talent but the issue is would he ever be active over Bell and if he isn’t going to be playing you would be better having a young defensive player with upside instead of a special teamer.

DEON BUSH
Current Team: Chiefs
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 73
Special Teams Snaps – 118

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He isn’t the answer to what the Cleveland Browns need so he isn’t likely to be on their list of potential targets.

NIK NEEDHAM
Current Team: Dolphins
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 72
Special Teams Snaps – 30

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He is okay but the aspirations of the team need to be higher than that so they can happily let him walk.

ELIJAH RILEY
Current Team: Steelers
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 50
Special Teams Snaps – 216

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He hasn’t played enough that I would feel confident bringing him in to try and develop the position room and provide depth.

DANIEL THOMAS
Current Team: Jaguars
Old Contract: Rookie Deal

Defensive Snaps – 14
Special Teams Snaps – 242

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He is just okay so it isn’t someone I am chasing to join the Cleveland Browns, there are better options out there.

JEREMY REAVES
Current Team: Commanders
Old Contract: RFA Tender

Defensive Snaps – 0
Special Teams Snaps – 98

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: If they needed a pure special teamer then he could be an option but I expect them to look wider when searching for safety options.

CODY DAVIS
Current Team: Patriots
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

Defensive Snaps – 0
Special Teams Snaps – 202

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He is soon going to turn 35 and that isn’t something I am chasing for an addition to the Cleveland Browns secondary, he also had a down year last year after a strong special teams career.