Browns sign Mychal Kendricks

The Cleveland Browns looked to be a surprising name listed as an entry in the Mychal Kendricks derby after the former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker was released as a casualty of the salary cap that most successful franchises have to deal with.

Yes, the Browns likely would come up with the best financial offer as most unsuccessful franchises have the largest amount of salary cap space to deal with, but the other teams scheduled to visit with Kendricks (Oakland and Minnesota) had the edge with personal issues (Kendricks played his college football at Cal and brother Eric plays for the Vikings) and winning (Vikings in NFC title game last season, Raiders were a playoff team two years ago and added Jon Gruden as their new coach), so the Browns could have (and were) looked at as a dark horse candidate only.

No matter the reasons, Kendricks made his mind up and to my surprise is headed to Cleveland to become a Brown as he agreed to a one year contract valued at three and a half million dollars.
Kendricks bolsters what on paper appears to be a solid linebacking group with Jamie Collins returning from injury, Joe Schobert, and Christian Kirksey in the Browns 4-3 alignment.
Kendricks rebounded last season after two seasons (2015 and 16) that saw coordinator changes and lessened playing time, to notch 51 solo tackles and two sacks last season with the Eagles.

I think there may a return to Kendricks early form in Philadelphia in the offering when he was a second-year player with 86 solo tackles, four sacks and three interceptions in his stat line
His range and ability to run down runners seems to be an excellent fit in the Gregg Williams defensive schemes and he can play inside or outside, although he is better outside in the 4-3 preferred by Williams.

Something else to keep an eye on is perhaps another move could be coming with Jamie Collins.
Collins, after all, is highly paid, coming off an injury, hasn't been a playmaker in Cleveland and was a Sashi Brown import not one of John Dorsey's acquisitions.
Kendricks along with the three linebackers would make an imposing quartet at the position, but playing the 4-3, they will have to be rotated and could the Browns decide that Collins isn't worth the cost with the arrival of Kendricks?
Worth wondering about at least.

Considering that the cost was reasonable and for only a one year contract, this could be an excellent addition for the Browns