Before I go over the potential cornerbacks the Browns may try to sign in free agency a boom was heard throughout the NFL. The Texans released DE J.J. Watt. For the Texans it makes perfect sense. First they weren’t going to be able to trade Watt because of his $17.5 million contract. Only an idiot would do that and I don’t think the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals were interested. This move instantly gets the Texans out of cap hell. So now Watt becomes a free agent who anyone can sign at any time. Reports say he is interested in a team in good cap shape, is a defensive scheme fit, has the right supporting personnel and a team that’s not rebuilding. Sounds like a team that is near and dear to all our hearts. It also doesn’t sound like the Pittsburg Steelers. Sorry Steeler fans, your favorite team is about to go through a major overhaul. Actually I’m not sorry.
At first it appears J.J. Watt isn’t the prototypical free agent GM Andrew Berry likes to sign. He’s 31 years old. However, last season Berry spent the entire season searching for pass rush help. He signed DE Joe Jackson prior to the season, then he attempted to sign DE Jadeveon Clowney to big money. Berry then tried to trade for DE Yannick Ngakoue and attempted to claim DE Takkarist McKinley off waivers twice. And prior to DE Olivier Vernon’s Achilles injury in the wildcard game, the Browns were seriously thinking of resigning him. Sounds like a man who wants to do whatever he can to help DE Myles Garrett. So will the Browns make a push to sign Watt? Based on the information just listed and after considerable thought and reasoning, hell yes. Remember the Browns want to restructure a few contracts to clean up the cap for this season and the future. Signing Watt sends a clear message to the rest of the team that the front office is serious about winning now and in the future. What would it take to sign Watt? An incentive loaded two year contract worth about $12 to $13 million. On to the free agent cornerbacks.
Mike Hilton, Pittsburg. Primarily a slot corner, Hilton can cover in both man and zone. He’s very effective against the run and can blitz when asked. While he isn’t a sure tackler, 26 missed tackles in the last two years, he’s always one of the top corners in defensive stops. According to Spotrac, his market value is $7.8 million per year on a three year contract. Because the Steelers are $14 million over the cap and they still don’t know what to do with Ben Roethlisberger’s contract, he will hit the open market.
Brain Poole, New York Jets. Another slot corner, Poole has posted one of the highest Pro Football Focus rating the last two years while playing in the slot. Allowed one touchdown pass and a passer rating of under 70.0 over those two years. Incredibly consistent and undervalued. While the Jets have $67.9 million in cap space, Poole is the type of player they may let walk. He’s not splashy just consistent.
Others to watch. William Jackson, III, Cincinnati, Desmond King, II, Tennessee, Quinton Dunbar, Seattle and Ahkello Witherspoon, San Francisco. You’ll notice I highlighted the slot cornerback position. I expect last years slot CB Kevin Johnson to move on to free agency. I’m still of the belief the Browns will make a run at trading for Saints CB Marshon Lattimore. It makes too much sense. The Saints are try to dig themselves out off a $69 million cap hole and Lattimore carries no dead money. Taking his $10.2 million dollar salary is like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic, but the Saints need all they help they can get. Now on to my latest mockery of a draft.
26. Gregory Rousseau, Edge, MIami.
58. Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern.
89. Osa Odighizuwa, IDL, UCLA.
91. Paris Ford, S Pittsburg.
111. Rodarious Williams, CB, Oklahoma State.
131. Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina.
170. Pro Wells, TE, TCU.
211. Jake Curhan, IOL, California.
248. Grant Stuard, LB Houston.
Again I doubt GM Andrew Berry will use all his draft picks, but I think this one covers all the bases. Tell me what you think.
Free agency now starts to get wacky and weird with experts making predictions with no thought of how a salary cap works and kitchen table GM’s making ridiculous claims of pretend sources. Enter Browns twitter at your own risk. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.