Browns sign Free Agent Depth

     The Cleveland Browns continued to add players for depth in their need areas and being free agency, the Browns lost a few players as well.

The most intriguing to me was at linebacker where the Browns signed former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Devin Bush to compete at linebacker.

Bush spent four seasons with Pittsburgh, which was somewhat disappointing to Steeler fans, who thought Bush was going to be their next standout linebacker after an excellent rookie season.

Bush tore his ACL in 2020, ironically in a game against the Browns, and hasn't been the same player since the injury

Bush spent last season with Seattle, playing in thirteen games but in his final three games, Bush looked to be gaining confidence, finishing with fifteen solo tackles, fifteen assisted tackles, and four for loss.

Bush is noted for his run defense and hard-hitting but much of his problems with the Steelers were in his pass coverage, so Bush would have to improve quickly to be a three-down linebacker.

Still, Bush is worth a flyer on a one-year deal and perhaps his production could finally equal his potential.

The Browns also seemed to be in the market for another veteran defensive tackle to replace Jordan Elliott in the rotation and they signed one in Quinton Jefferson, who had six sacks for the Jets last season.

Jefferson played four seasons with Seattle after being drafted in the fifth round in 2016 but has played for four different teams (Buffalo, Las Vegas, a 2nd stint in Seattle, and the Jets) in the previous four seasons.

Jefferson's six sacks would have placed him second on the Browns last season, so if he could approach that number this season, the Browns would have a solid contributor.

I do wonder about the one-year contract to fullback/tight end Giovanni Ricci though,

The Browns lost Harrison Bryant to the Raiders in free agency Bryant was a receiving tight end more than a blocking tight end and Ricci caught one pass last season for two yards for Carolina.

At 240 pounds, Ricci is more H-Back than fullback or tight end, so unless Kevin Stefanski wishes to use some different portions of his playbook, I'm not sure I see the fit for Ricci.

Cleveland also signed cornerback Tony Brown, formerly of the Colts, in an attempt to replace Mike Ford on special teams after Ford signed with Houston.

Brown played for Browns special teams coach Bubba Ventrone in Indianapolis and is regarded as excellent in his role on those units.

Brown missed the final three games last season due to the Colts suspending Brown for violating team rules, so hopefully, those issues are left in Indianapolis.

Andrew Berry made his big swing with the trade to acquire Jerry Jeudy, so most of his free agency maneuvers have filled holes created by free agency.

Lose Jordan Elliott, and add Quinton Jefferson.

Lose Mike Ford, and add Tony Brown.

Lose Harrison Bryant, and add Giovanni Ricci.

Lose Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker, and add Devin Bush and Jordan Hicks.

And biggest of all, Lose Joe Flacco and add Jameis Winston.

Only the addition of Nyheim Hines doesn't fit the bill, and it more than likely still does as the Browns aren't likely to retain Kareem Hunt.

I would grade most of these as lateral moves, although I think the potential is there for the Bush/Hicks pairing to be an upgrade over Takitaki/Walker.

However, except for Giovanni Ricci over Harrison Bryant, I don't see any severe downgrades either.

So, it seems the Cleveland Browns have decided to mostly stand pat other than trading for Jerry Jeudy in an attempt to improve at wide receiver and run it back with the same cast along with the hopes for DeShaun Watson to return to his form from his time in Houston.

That's risky but I really don't see much of a choice.

In the perfect world, they would add another quality receiving option, another defensive lineman, and another running back in case Nick Chubb doesn't bounce back to his peak.

Nyheim Hines brings a pass catcher out of the backfield, so the Browns may look at Hines as their added offensive threat but Hines isn't the same factor as a ball carrier and although Jerome Ford had his moments last season after the injury to Nick Chubb, I'm still not sold on him as a bellwether back if needed.

For the most part, free agency will take a pause for a while as we transition to draft talk with the Browns having one final year without a first-round pick as they finally finish paying the mortgage on DeShaun Watson.