Cleveland Browns Free Agency Preview – Swing Tackles

February 17, 2024 Sportuniverse2 Minnesota Viking 0

In this daily series we will look at all of the 633 unrestricted free agents that are set to hit the market on the 11th March at noon ET, this is when teams can begin negotiating with them. Despite this, many deals will be negotiated before that time, with the combine seen as the kick off of the unofficial tampering period. There will be some that don’t make it there due to either being franchise tagged before the 4pm ET deadline on the 5th March or being extended by their current team.Before anyone throws their toys out the pram and moans why are we covering x position when we don’t need a player there. It is important to look at every area of a roster as what you can get in free agency easily shapes what you do with extensions, trades and the draft.

A team like the Cleveland Browns are using free agency and trades to fill any starting spots on the roster as they are competing to win now and not looking to develop a starter as the season goes along. They are going to use their backup and depth spots to develop starters for the future, so when Andrew Berry is making draft picks later in the offseason keep an eye on who they might replace next year.

We will be discussing all the unrestricted free agent names across all the different positions and explaining why we believe players are targets or not and some that are in the grey area that intrigue us. Players who are restricted free agents and exclusive free agents aren’t included because they are unlikely to make it to free agency this is because they regularly return and this shouldn’t be a focus.

How these articles will be written as we will look at all the starting quality players day by day: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Tackles, Guards, Centers, Edges, Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks & Safeties.

Then we will move to the rotational/backup players releasing these day by day: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Tackles, Guards, Centers, Edges, Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks & Safeties.

Then we will release two articles a day for the final set:
The depth/special teams options: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Tackles, Guards, Centers, Edges, Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks & Safeties.
Plus a VIP set of articles where the OBR team will all add what they would do this offseason position room by position room: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Tackles, Guards, Centers, Edges, Defensive Tackles, Linebackers, Cornerbacks & Safeties.

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 – Wills, Conklin, Hubbard, Lamm
2021 – Wills, Conklin, Hubbard, Hudson
2022 – Wills, Conklin, Hubbard, Hudson, Haeg
2023 – Wills, Conklin, Hudson, Jones

Current Position Room

Jedrick Wills
2024 – $14,500,000 (fully guaranteed)

Jack Conklin
2024 – $13,850,000 (fully guaranteed)
2025 – $15,000,000 (no guarantees)
2026 – $15,000,000 (no guarantees)

Dawand Jones
2024 – $915,000 (no guarantees)
2025 – $1,030,000 (no guarantees)
2026 – $1,145,000 (no guarantees)

James Hudson
2024 – $1,055,000 (no guarantees)

Leroy Watson
2024 – $915,000 (no guarantees)
2025 – Exclusive Rights Free Agent
2026 – Restricted Free Agent

Justin Murray
2024 – $985,000 (no guarantees)

Geron Christian
Unrestricted Free Agent

How Many In 2024

The Cleveland Browns are likely to head into the 2024 season with four tackles on the final 53-man roster and based on previous years they will have one on the practice squad.

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.

Jets – Austin Deculus
Chargers – Foster Sarell
Buccaneers – Brandon Walton
Packers – Caleb Jones
Steelers – Dylan Cook
Patriots – Tyrone Wheatley
Texans – DJ Scaife
Seahawks – Raiqwon O’Neal

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

Jaguars – Blake Hance
Seahawks – Jake Curhan
Rams – Alaric Jackson

CHRIS HUBBARD

Current Team: Titans
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – 34th out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 473
PFF Pressures Allowed – 18
PFF Sacks Allowed – 4

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: Injuries ruined his final two years in Cleveland but he had a great time with the Titans last year. He will likely to just be your right side tackle in terms of cover but he will do an above average job as a swing. It will be interesting to see if he stays with the Titans since Callahan is now there, he seemed to leave on good terms in Cleveland but I wouldn’t expect a reunion.

STORM NORTON

Current Team: Falcons
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – 38th out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 282
PFF Pressures Allowed – 6
PFF Sacks Allowed – 1

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He is an okay option but I would still be looking for more either via the draft or a better free agent than just settling for okay.

KENDALL LAMM

Current Team: Dolphins
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – 52nd out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 613
PFF Pressures Allowed – 20
PFF Sacks Allowed – 4

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He can play on both the left and the right side which is key for any swing tackle, his floor is really good for a player who has a veteran minimum contract. If you are going to trade one of your two starting tackles from 2023 then bringing in a swing tackle is key. I wouldn’t want to spend much money there so he would certainly be a solid move while unspectacular.

CHUMA EDOGA

Current Team: Cowboys
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – 57th out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 420
PFF Pressures Allowed – 16
PFF Sacks Allowed – 3

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He is an okay player and going to give you league average play but the Browns need to be aspiring for more because between Jones and Conklin there are likely to be games missed each season so you expect your swing to play.

TYRE PHILLIPS

Current Team: Giants
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – 74th out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 552
PFF Pressures Allowed – 21
PFF Sacks Allowed – 2

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: They will be looking for more in a swing tackle if they bring one in so I would assume he doesn’t get much notice from Cleveland’s front office.

CHARLIE HECK

Current Team: Texans
Old Contract: Rookie Deal

PFF OT Rank – 80th out of 89 (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 246
PFF Pressures Allowed – 18
PFF Sacks Allowed – 1

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He isn’t good enough to be a swing on a team with injury issues.

CORNELIUS LUCAS

Current Team: Commanders
Old Contract: $6.5m/2

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 231
PFF Pressures Allowed – 8
PFF Sacks Allowed – 3

Jack’s Estimate: $2.5m a year

Jack: Out of the players in this article he is probably the highest quality option and due to that costs a little more. After free agency starts to shake out you might find one or two of the starter list end up as swing tackles too. If they trade one of their tackles this offseason then Lucas is a great target to go after and give them security as the position as he will do a great job if called upon.

YOSUAH NIJMAN

Current Team: Packers
Old Contract: RFA Tender

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 230
PFF Pressures Allowed – 10
PFF Sacks Allowed – 2

Jack’s Estimate: $2m a year

Jack: If you had a photo for what consistent league average tackle play looked like it would be Nijman. Average play can be seen as a weakness but when it is consistent it can be a real upside for a swing. I don’t think the Browns go after him but he is solid.

JASON PETERS

Current Team: Seahawks
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 215
PFF Pressures Allowed – 14
PFF Sacks Allowed – 0

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: Considering he spent last season working with the Browns now offensive line coach there is certainly a chance he is on their radar. You won’t find anyone with more experience to step in and play. He has recently turned 42 so there is always going to be the retirement question but if he has eaten enough avocado ice cream then I would sign him in Cleveland.

BILLY TURNER

Current Team: Jets
Old Contract: $1.65m/1

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 208
PFF Pressures Allowed – 16
PFF Sacks Allowed – 4

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He is coming off a bad year and going to be 33 early during next season, that is something I would prefer to avoid when signing players.

JACK DRISCOLL

Current Team: Eagles
Old Contract: Rookie Deal

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 171
PFF Pressures Allowed – 10
PFF Sacks Allowed – 1

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: His first start last season was bad, eight pressures in 43 pass blocking snaps bad but the rest of the season was solid. He is an okay player for wherever he lands, you aren’t going to be thrilled but he is a solid option.

MATT PEART

Current Team: Giants
Old Contract: Rookie Deal

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 133
PFF Pressures Allowed – 6
PFF Sacks Allowed – 0

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: Former third round pick but his career has gone in reverse from a great rookie season to playing less snaps and not looking good during them.

CAMERON ERVING

Current Team: Saints
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 126
PFF Pressures Allowed – 3
PFF Sacks Allowed – 0

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: Just No!

RILEY REIFF

Current Team: Patriots
Old Contract: $5m/1

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 45
PFF Pressures Allowed – 1
PFF Sacks Allowed – 0

Jack’s Estimate: $2.5m a year

Jack: He was one of if not the best swing tackle on the market last season, the shame is he only got to play part of a week five game at right guard and his season was done. Twice last year he went onto injured reserve so the main concern is health. When he is playing he is a fantastic swing option and gives a team peace of mind. I would certainly be putting in a call if anyone is traded because he is significantly better than anything Hudson is giving you.

OLISAEMEKA UDOH

Current Team: Vikings
Old Contract: Four Year Qualifying Contract

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 45
PFF Pressures Allowed – 3
PFF Sacks Allowed – 1

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: I remember discussing him in this series last year, he put together a nice 2022 on a small amount of snaps and was hoping he would take a step forward. Instead injuries ruined another season and for that reason he probably won’t be on the Browns radar unless he wants so come in and battle for a spot. He likely stays with the Vikings and competes for their swing spot.

MATT PRYOR

Current Team: 49ers
Old Contract: Veteran Minimum

PFF OT Rank – N/A (20% snap minimum)
Snaps – 42
PFF Pressures Allowed – 0
PFF Sacks Allowed – 0

Jack’s Estimate: Veteran Minimum

Jack: He should be an easy decision for the Cleveland Browns to sign to a minimum veteran deal if he was on the market and looking for a new team. I don’t expect the 49ers to let that happen as they should bring him back. When you are a swing tackle why move house and leave a team competing for a Super Bowl.

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