3 Offseason Moves the Browns Should Consider Making This Offseason
CLEVELAND- Another offseason filled with a lot of questions looms over Cleveland once again. This may be one of the most important offseason for the Browns if they want to have any chance at contending for a Super Bowl.
Discipline was the keyword associated with the Browns all season, mainly the lack of it on the defensive end. Jim Schwartz was a good start, given his pedigree and his track record of coaching great defenses. But the Browns still need veteran pieces on the field to uphold Schwartz’s standard.
There is plenty of key offensive/defensive pieces with Super Bowl experience, who have been a part of some great offenses/defenses. Here are a few that the Browns should be looking into:
Fletcher Cox
Cox would be an upgrade to a DT room that desperately needs it. Fletcher Cox is an All-Pro defensive tackle with a history of taking away the run and getting after the QB. Cox, 32, was a part of a Philadelphia defense that ranked #2 in the NFL in total defense and #1 in team sacks this regular season. Cox also has an impressive resume in his own right.
-Super Bowl champion (LII)
-First-team All-Pro (2018)
-3× Second-team All-Pro (2014, 2015, 2017)
-6× Pro Bowl (2015–2020) NFL 2010s All-Decade Team PFWA All-Rookie Team (2012)
-First-team All-American (2011) First-team All-SEC (2011)
Fletcher Cox has been one of the best defensive tackles of his generation, and he is still playing at a high level. This season he racked up 7 sacks, along with 41 total tackles; more sacks and tackles than he had in his pro-bowl year in 2020. Fletcher Cox can be the perfect counterpart to Myles Garrett to help him maximize his potential, similar to the Cam Heyward and TJ Watt duo in Pittsburg. The Eagles are loaded at defensive tackle right now with rookie stud Jordan Davis, Fletcher Cox, and Javon Hargraves. However, Cox and Hargraves are set to hit free agency this year. Hargraves, 29, is listed as the best defensive tackle to hit free agency in 2023. The Eagles would much rather pay for the younger Hargraves over Cox. Insert the Browns: Fletcher Cox may not be cheap, but he also won’t break the Browns bank. The Browns are in desperate need of veterans and contributors on defense, and Cox would be a perfect fit.
Lavonte David
Lavonte David is another veteran who brings plenty of pedigree and is still playing at a high level. His resume may not be as loaded as Cox, but he still has had an impressive career in his own right.
-3 All-Pro teams
-1 Pro Bowl appearance
- Super Bowl LV Champ 2020
David racked up 116 tackles, and 3 sacks, and was the leader of a Tampa Bay defense that ranked #8 in total defense. His stats compared very similarly, if not better, to the two Pro Bowl Linebackers that got the nod over him for the Pro Bowl (San Francisco Linebacker Fred Warner & New Orleans Linebacker Demario Davis). David was also a big reason why Tom Brady captured his 7th Superbowl in 2020, leading a Bucs defense that was the top of the league over a loaded Chiefs offense. The Browns have a ton of youth at their linebacker spots that could use a strong veteran voice like David. Anthony Walker filled this role partially last year, but injuries and playing time prohibited him from being the consistent voice the Browns defense needed. Lavonte David is an instant plug-and-play for the Browns. The market for David this offseason may not be as lucrative strictly given his age, which means the Browns may be able to get him on a team-friendly deal.
Brandin Cooks
The Browns defense needs a ton of help, but their offense still needs some finishing touches, and Cooks would be the perfect addition to their offense. There have been rumors of the Browns reuniting Watson with his former #1 target Deandre Hopkins after Hopkins had requested a trade after a frustrating regular season with the Cardinals. This type of move looks good from a pure talent standpoint, but financially it would not make a lot of sense for the Browns. Paying Hopkins would mean not being able to fill some of the gaps the Browns need to fill on defense. Cooks could be a good alternative. Cooks and Watson played together in Houston during the 2020 season. During their time together Watson was putting together a career year leading the NFL in nearly every passing category. Cooks was Watson’s #1 target hauling in 81 balls for 1,150 yards in just 15 games. Since Watson’s departure, Cooks still leads the Texans wide receivers and seems to have a lot more left in the tank. Cooks was rumored to be a potential target for the Browns during the season after Cooks requested a trade from the Texans. A deal could not get done during the season, but Cooks will likely double down on his desire to leave Houston. Cooks did sign an extension with the Texans coming into the season, in which he would be set to get paid $18,000 for the 2023 season. However, it sounds like if the Texans get a good enough offer, they would be willing to eat some of Cooks' contract. This and the possibility of reworking Cooks’ contract could be too good of an opportunity to pass up. Cooks has played with some of the best offenses led by some of the best quarterbacks of all time. He would be a valuable piece for Watson and this offense.
It is clear that the Browns need to make some major moves this offseason, these three moves could put them over the edge in the AFC North.