Category: 2020 NFL Free Agency

Myles Garrett is reinstated: What’s next for the Browns

What’s next on the docket for the Browns?

Myles Garrett has officially been reinstated by the NFL, per a joint release from the Cleveland Browns and the league.

Cleveland Browns General Manager Andrew Berry released a statement shortly after Garrett’s reinstatement became official.

We welcome Myles back to our organization with open arms. We know he is grateful to be reinstated, eager to put the past behind him and continue to evolve and grow as a leader. We look forward to having his strong positive presence back as a teammate, player and person in our community.

With the Browns able to move past Garrett’s reinstatement, we should all be asking the question “what’s next for the Cleveland Browns?”

NFL Scouting Combine: February 24 – March 2

While it feels like a distant memory, the 2020 Reese’s Senior Bowl saw the Cleveland Browns send an entourage of their former Vice President of Player Personnel, Alonzo Highsmith, and former Assistant General Manager, Eliot Wolf, to the Senior Bowl for scouting purposes. Since the Senior Bowl, both Highsmith and Wolf have been relieved of their duties. With this in mind, the Cleveland Browns, with their front office and coaching staff fully in place, will finally have the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with the prospects of the 2020 NFL Draft. It should also be mentioned this time last year, at the 2019 NFL Combine, when the groundwork for the Olivier Vernon and Odell Beckham trade was constructed.

For the Browns, there is only so much to be done in a week in Indianapolis, However, this is where first contact will be done with potential future Cleveland Browns players and an opportunity for Andrew Berry to build a network of trade partners.

Negotiating with unrestricted free agents: March 16 – 18

Key Browns Free Agents: Greg Robinson, OT (UFA), Rashard Higgins, WR (UFA), Damarious Randall, S (UFA), Kareem Hunt, RB (RFA), Joe Schobert, iLB (UFA)

Per Spotrac, the Cleveland Browns currently have an estimated $48.9 million in cap space available. This is a lot of money, 15th most in the NFL, but there are a lot of holes to fill on the Cleveland Browns roster. It is not realistic for the Browns to take almost $50 million in cap space and fix multiple holes along the offensive line, replace both safety spots, add an interior run stuffer, and reshuffle their linebacker room. It is just not realistic for impact players to be added at all of those positions.

Wrap Up

There are plenty of things for the Browns to move on to next. The NFL combine, free agency, further building out their coaching staff, and trade negotiations are all key offseason landmarks for us to pay attention to. As Browns fans, there we should lament in the fact we have no losses in 2020 and the franchise still has plenty of assets to keep all of these events throughout the offseason interesting.

 

Texans 2020 NFL free agency target: Chiefs CB Bashaud Breeland

The Houston Texans should consider Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland as part of their plans to address the position in free agency.

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland may hit free agency when the new NFL year starts on March 18, and the Houston Texans ought to consider him in their plans to address the cornerback position.

Breeland made the media rounds on Wednesday. While the former 2014 fourth-round pick from Clemson would love to stay with the Super Bowl champions, ultimately, Breeland desires to be with a team that needs him, wants him, and that he can elevate.

“I would love to continue on this journey with the Chiefs,” Breeland told “The SiriusXM Blitz” on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I feel like they’ve got something special and I would love to be a part of it. I’m thankful for the opportunity that they allowed me to come in and be a part of an organization that allowed me to grow. When it comes to free agency I just want to be somewhere I’m needed and wanted. And where I can help bring the team to a winning stature.”

The Texans fit the bill of a team that could use Breeland. With starting cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby set to hit free agency, the two-time AFC South champions will have to rely on veterans Gareon Conley and Vernon Hargreaves to start with 2019 second-round pick Lonnie Johnson backing them up.

Breeland spent the first four seasons of his career in Washington before he joined the Green Bay Packers during the 2018 regular season. The Chiefs gave Breeland a one-year contract during 2019 free agency, and he contributed to Kansas City’s championship effort with two interceptions, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown, 48 tackles, and a tackle for loss in his 16 games, 15 of which he started.

At 5-11, 195 pounds, Breeland would be of comparable size to Roby and Joseph, both of whom are 5-11 while the former is a pound lighter and the latter is 10 pounds lighter.

The Texans will have decisions to make with regards to cornerback. If they decide to look outside the organization for help, Breeland could be a contributor.

Report: Giants expected to pursue WR Demarcus Robinson in free agency

The New York Giants are expected to pursue Kansas City Chiefs WR Demarcus Robinson once free agency begins in March.

The New York Giants have an abundance of needs headed into free agency and will likely key in on offensive tackles and edge rushers. However, they’ll also poke around some of the available wide receivers.

Although the Giants seem relatively stocked at the position, they are in need of another outside receiver and/or red zone threat, and could come by way of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Demarcus Robinson.

Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media reports that the Giants are expected to pursue Robinson once free agency begins in March.

The Giants are expected to pursue Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs wider receiver Demarcus Robinson when free agency begins, an individual with knowledge of the situation tells NJ Advance Media.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Robinson set career-highs with 32 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns last season, but did not record a catch in Super Bowl LIV.

Over his first four seasons, the 25-year-old Robinson has appeared in 64 games (23 starts), hauling in 75 receptions on 127 targets for 949 yards and eight touchdowns. He has a 59.1 catch percentage and earned a Pro Football Focus grade of just 57.8 in 2019.

Robinson can play both outside and in the slot, although the Giants have both Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard to play inside.

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Texans 2020 NFL free agency target: Falcons OLB Vic Beasley

The Houston Texans need help restoring their pass rush to formidable status. Could former Atlanta Falcons OLB Vic Beasley be part of the solution?

The Houston Texans need some help with their pass rush. The AFC South champions finished with 31, tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the sixth-fewest in the NFL.

If the Texans want to give a former first-round pick a chance to live up to his former draft status, as they did with cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Vernon Hargreaves, then former Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley should be on their radar.

The NFC South team announced Monday they will not pursue negotiations with the former No. 8 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft.

Beasley had an All-Pro season in his second year with 15.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, six forced fumbles, and a fumble recovered for a touchdown. The Clemson product was a key part of Atlanta’s defense that helped the team win the NFC South, lock up a first-round bye, and take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium.

The problem is Beasley fell off the map after that career season. The 6-3, 246-pound edge defender produced two consecutive seasons with 5.0 sacks and started in eight and nine games as opposed to 12 in in 2016 and 16 as a rookie. Beasley finished his last year with the Falcons with 8.0 sacks, but still didn’t hit the double-digit mark since that 2016 campaign.

Houston already has outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus locked up, and defensive end J.J. Watt will always bring pressure off the edge. Adding Beasley could give the Texans a trio of pass rushers they haven’t had since the club traded Jadeveon Clowney to the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 31, 2018.

The Texans may be better off to let Beasley float by them in free agency and continue to develop defensive end Charles Omenihu and outside linebacker Jacob Martin. Nonetheless, the Texans should also evaluate edge rushers on the market as they need to restore their pass rush to formidable levels.

Devin McCourty open to joining Giants, reunion with Joe Judge

Pending free agent safety Devin McCourty says he’s opening to signing with the New York Giants and reuniting with Joe Judge.

New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty has been on the New York Giants’ radar before and he might be again come March when the new league year arrives and free agency officially begins.

But would the veteran McCourty be interested in joining a rebuilding project at this stage of his career? The short answer is yes because he’s open to hearing from any team that might be willing to pay him.

“I’m always open to talk to anybody,” McCourty told the New York Post. “That’s how I view it.”

McCourty very nearly signed with the Giants in 2015, but instead chose to return to New England, where he worked alongside Judge, taking an average of more than 100 special teams snaps per year. Judge has since called McCourty “one of the best all-around players in the NFL.”

“I like Joe,” McCourty said. “I think he is well prepared and passionate, so he has a chance to be a really good head coach.

“He was so good on special teams he was annoying for how much stuff he would want you to do. I’m excited for him. I think he has the attitude to be in New York. He’ll challenge guys, he’ll be cursing. He’s from Philly, so he has that background.”

The Giants still have veteran Antoine Bethea under contract for one more year, but after his up-and-down play in 2019, it’s likely general manager Dave Gettleman seeks out someone else to pair with Jabrill Peppers.

Could McCourty be that guy? At least we know he’s open to it.

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Could Jaguars DL Marcell Dareus help the Texans’ defensive line?

The Houston Texans could need help at defensive tackle. Jacksonville Jaguars DT Marcell Dareus could be a fit until they figure out the future.

The Houston Texans have decisions to make in free agency, and one of them revolves around defensive tackle D.J. Reader. Despite center Nick Martin and outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus earning contract extensions throughout the regular season, Reader and the Texans weren’t able to work anything out between August and December.

If the Texans and Reader aren’t able to come to terms, one option the club could keep an eye on is Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Marcell Dareus.

According to Joel Corry of CBS Sports, the two-time Pro Bowler may be looking for his third team as he could be a salary cap casualty in the 2020 offseason.

Dareus took a $2.5 million pay cut last offseason in order to avoid being a cap casualty. He had a chance to make back the $2.5 million with at least 55 percent defensive playtime for the season. Any chance of earning the incentive went out the window when a core muscle injury requiring surgery ended Dareus’ season after Jacksonville’s seventh game. Dareus’ 2021 contract year was eliminated in the renegotiation while his 2020 contract year became an option year that the Jaguars must exercise by the 22nd day before the start of the 2020 league, which is Feb. 25. If exercised, Dareus’ $9.5 million 2020 base salary becomes fully guaranteed and a $10 million fifth day of the 2020 league year roster bonus due on March 22 will be guaranteed for skill and injury.

Dareus would be 30 years old by the time Week 1 kicked off. At 6-3, 331 pounds, he would be 16 pounds lighter than Reader, but the same height. Dareus would be the perfect role to bridge the gap between the present and the future, much the same way Vince Wilfork played nose tackle for the Texans from 2015-16 while Reader developed into the interior defensive line force he has become.

Of course, the Jaguars would have to release Dareus, and the Texans would have to move on from Reader. If both of those possibilities become reality, then at least Houston would have an option.

Texans 2020 NFL free agency target: Cowboys CB Byron Jones

The Houston Texans could use some help at corner. If they use free agency to address the need, former Dallas Cowboys CB Byron Jones should be sought.

Cornerback is a position the Houston Texans have to figure out what they are doing in the 2020 offseason and quickly.

Starters Johnathan Joseph and Bradley Roby are out of contract. While the club has Gareon Conley and Vernon Hargreaves under contract, along with former 2019 second-round pick Lonnie Johnson, there is still a degree of ambiguity at the position.

If the Texans are looking for a proven veteran to help with the transition, former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones could be an option.

The former 2015 first-round pick from UConn may not be in the Cowboys’ plans at cornerback. According to quotes from new Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Nolan via Jon Machota of The Athletic, the Cowboys are looking more for playmaking cornerbacks rather than lockdown corners.

Jones produced six pass breakups and had an 87.7 opposing passer rating in 15 games, 14 of which he started. Quarterbacks preferred to go to other side where third-year cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was, as he saw 97 targets compared to Jones’ 64.

In 2018, when new defensive backs coach Kris Richard switched the 6-0 defensive back from free safety to corner, Jones responded with 14 pass breakups and an 84.7 opposing passer rating in all 16 starts.

The knock on Jones is his dearth of takeaways, or involvement with them. Through 79 career games, Jones has two interceptions, the last being on Oct. 29, 2017, at Washington, and he has just one forced fumble for his career.

If the Texans could get Jones on a one-year, prove-it deal like they were able to get Roby in 2019 and even safety Tyrann Mathieu the year before that, it could give them an added veteran and proven presence on the back end.

The downside would be that as reliable as Jones is, he isn’t a turnover producer. Roby in his 10 games with Houston matched Jones’ career total for interceptions, pick-sixes, and forced fumbles.

Giants will not go ‘hog wild’ in free agency despite substantial cap space

New York Giants co-owner John Mara says the team will not go “hog wild” in free agency despite having $75 million-plus in cap space.

The New York Giants will have upwards of $75 million in salary cap space this offseason, and that comes before potential cuts and restructures (Alec Ogletree, Antoine Bethea, etc.) that could clear up another sizable chunk.

Some projections have the Giants wiping away several contract, clearing an addition $10 or so million in cap space, leaving them with more than $86 million to spend.

That’s a substantial amount of money and, quite possibly, the most New York has ever had to work with. However, don’t expect a major spending spree.

Shortly after announcing the hire of Joe Judge as the team’s 19th head coach, co-owner John Mara appeared on WFAN’s Moose & Maggie and made it clear that the emphasis remains on building their roster through the draft, not throwing a ton of money at superstars in free agency.

“The thing with free agency, it’s a double-edged sword. I mean, you can fix some holes pretty quickly, but long-term, I’m not sure that it really works,” Mara said. “You still have to build your team through the draft. I think the best thing in free agency is it allows you to fill some needs so you can go into the draft and just take the best player available.

“If you think free agency is going to fix all your problems, you’re going to be sadly disappointed. So yes, we do have probably the most space we’ve ever had before, but we’re not going to go hog wild in there and spend it all. I think if you do that, you’re making a big mistake. We’re going to try to do it wisely, try to get the right guys in here, guys that we hope are going to be here for a while. But still, you have to emphasize the draft, and that’s still the most important thing in building a franchise.”

General manager Dave Gettleman has shared similar sentiments in recent weeks, even suggesting the Giants would like to maintain an available pool of around $20 million going into the regular season.

Needless to say, fans should not expect the Giants to be big spenders once the new league year gets underway in March.

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Former Ohio State DE Noah Spence among Browns workouts

From the “what ever happened to that guy” files…

Monday was tryout day around the NFL, and the Cleveland Browns brought in several free agents. One of those names is a familiar one for college football fans around the midwest.

Former Ohio State pass rusher Noah Spence is the most prominent name among the tryouts. Spence was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2016 after transferring from Ohio State to Eastern Kentucky after a series of failed drug tests. His NFL career has not gone well since bagging 5.5 sacks as a rookie. He was dumped by Washington earlier this month and has just two sacks in 25 games since 2016.

Other Browns tryouts included former CFL standout Terence Fede and former Lions starting DT Caraun Reid.

Joe Schobert playing like he deserves a big new contract

Joe Schobert is the Browns most valuable pending free agent and GM John Dorsey is only seeing the price tag rise with Schobert’s great play

Joe Schobert is the Browns’ most prominent pending free agent. Based on how he’s played the last two weeks, the price tag is only rising for Cleveland’s top linebacker.

Schobert picked off two passes against the Miami Dolphins in the Browns’ 41-24 romp. It was the second game in a row where No. 53 secured two INTs, both convincing victories.

Schobert was the best player on the field against Pittsburgh in Week 11. Not only that, he was the best defensive player on any field in the NFL that week, according to Pro Football Focus grading. He followed that up with another impressive outing against the Dolphins, with five tackles and the two INTs among his four total passes defended.

His impact in the passing game from the linebacker position is exceedingly rare. How rare, you ask?

 

He did it against Miami with the line in front of him decimated, missing three starters due to a combination of injury and suspension. For most of the Dolphins game, he played with multiple rookies around him.

The Browns recently paid center JC Tretter with a nice contract extension. Tretter was deserving and happy to remain in Cleveland. Now it’s time for GM John Dorsey to do the same with Schobert while the price tag is still affordable. If he keeps playing the way he has the past few weeks, other teams will be chomping at the bit to give Schobert whatever he wants.