2020 NFL Free Agency: Rashard Higgins, Joe Schobert among Browns options

The Cleveland Browns have intriguing options for the New Orleans Saints: WR Rashard Higgins and LB Joe Schobert are both pending free agents

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We continue our series here at Saints Wire looking at every team across the NFL and the Cleveland Browns are who we will focus on today. Cleveland does not have a large number of free agents heading into 2020, and as such, do not provide clear-cut options for the New Orleans Saints. Here are the 14 free agents for the Browns in 2020:

  • LT Greg Robinson
  • QB Drew Stanton
  • WR Rashard Higgins
  • FS Damarious Randall
  • ILB Joe Schobert
  • FS Eric Murray
  • CB Justin Burris
  • RB Kareem Hunt (RFA)
  • G Justin McCray (RFA)
  • TE Ricky Seals-Jones (RFA)
  • DE Bryan Cox Jr. (RFA)
  • WR Khadarel Hodge (ERFA)
  • RB Dontrell Hilliard (ERFA)
  • TE Pharaoh Brown (ERFA)

One of the only free agents the Saints could possibly be interested in is linebacker Joe Schobert. In 2019, Schobert played in all 16 games and averaged over 99% of defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus grades Schobert’s season out at 59.1, which was just slightly above average at the position. New Orleans could conceivably sign the 28-year old to a multi-year deal, but with better options in the market, it seems unlikely.

Another name that could pop up in discussions for the Saints is Damarious Randall. The free safety missed time in 2019 with a hamstring injury and with discipline issues. New Orleans usually likes to stay away from players that could pose an issue in the locker room. However, when Randall took the field, he was one of the better safeties, and the Saints could take a flyer on a player with high potential like Randall. However, the safety won’t come cheap, which likely puts the Saints out of the running.

Finally, Rashard Higgins could be the one intriguing option for New Orleans in free agency. Higgins proved to be a competent receiver during his 2018 campaign. However, 2019 saw the arrival of Odell Beckham Jr. and the resurgence of Jarvis Landry. Higgins had to fight to see time as the team’s third receiver, especially with Antonio Callaway in the mix. Without a clear-cut number two wide receiver on the New Orleans staff, the Saints could sign Higgins to a team-friendly deal. Higgins has the potential to be an explosive player, and could thrive in Sean Payton’s system.

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