SEALED: Cleveland Browns have recently closed a huge, massive deal.
The big names, the big money, and the big headlines are what NFL free agency is all about. Players almost never reach free agency without a compelling reason from their previous team for not signing them sooner. Injuries, aging, performance, attitude, or suitability for a new regimen can all be contributing factors.
The NFL salary cap comes into play at other times.
The Cleveland Browns have a ton of free agents this offseason, but not many elite ones. Fortunately, Browns general manager Andrew Berry has plenty of salary cap leeway to make moves in free agency should he so choose.
While Cleveland supporters hope to sign DT Chris Jones, DE Josh Allen, and WR Tee Higgins, Pro Football Focus projects the Browns to be a little lower on the free agent ladder for the player they “should” sign:
WR MARQUISE BROWN of Cleveland Browns
In 2024, the Browns want to improve, so it makes sense to find a player who can win downfield. Although Brown has made plays downfield throughout his NFL career, he was once again hindered by injuries in 2023, which may indicate he is about to sign a one-year, prove-it deal. This past season, he caught six passes that were thrown more than 20 yards downfield, gaining 175 yards and a touchdown.
This Marquise, who has a history of injuries, may take the place of WR Marquise Goodwin as Cleveland’s deep threat. Brown caught 51 passes for 574 yards in 2023 while playing for the Arizona Cardinals, receiving the ball from a number of different quarterbacks.
With the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, Brown had his best season with 91 receptions for 1,008 yards.
Brown’s ranking as the 17th-best free agent in this year’s class by PFF is indicative of the shallow class this year. In 2024, they value Brown’s contract at $12 million for a year. While other receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Tyler Boyd, DJ Chark, and Michael Thomas have lower estimated yearly averages, wide receiver Gabe Davis has the same estimate.
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