Browns sign Nyheim Hines

   Day two of the free agent period saw the Cleveland Browns add a running back and an offensive tackle to add depth at two spots with starters that are returning from injury, re-signed a player for the offensive line and defensive line, and lost a defensive lineman as well.

The biggest name was former Bills running back Nyheim Hines, who signed a one-year contract worth up to 3.5 million.

Hines missed all of 2023 after an off-season injury from a jetski accident and split 2022 between the Colts and Bills.

Hines was drafted in the fourth round from N.C. State in 2018 by Indianapolis and has been a productive pass-catching back, catching 240 passes in his career.

Hines also has been a productive punt returner in his day, having returned four punts for touchdowns, two of those in 2022.

If Hines is healthy, he could bring much-needed return ability to a team in need of it and would be a third down receiving back who could prove very helpful.

Still, with the questions about Nick Chubb's return from his own injury and the erratic play last season from Jerome Ford, I'd think the Browns could use another back.

I wrote yesterday about the defensive line and hadn't heard about the status of Shelby Harris or Jordan Elliott.

Harris will be returning as he announced on Twitter but I haven't seen the terms of the contract.

As for Jordan Elliott, Elliott signed a two-year contract with San Francisco worth ten million.

The third-round pick in the 2020 draft from Missouri, Elliott never reached full-time starter status for the Browns, although he was a steady member of the defensive tackle rotation.

Cleveland hopes last season's third-round choice Siaki Ika will be able to make the rotation next season but I still think the Browns will draft another defensive tackle or sign another veteran in free agency.

The Browns also addressed the offensive line by re-signing veteran backup Michael Dunn to a one-year deal with terms unannounced and tackle Hakeem Adeniji to a one-year deal.

Adeniji played three seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Vikings last season, playing in four games.

Both players are depth players that can play guard or tackle with Dunn having the ability to play at center as well.

I'm glad the Browns kept Shelby Harris but it is clear the Browns are going to run back the team pretty close to the one from 2023.

We will see if that is good enough.