The Cleveland Browns need on the defensive line is clear. Only one certain starting-level defensive lineman is under contract for 2022 and certain to be on the team. Obviously, Myles Garrett is a great starting point but with Jadeveon Clowney’s free agency, Takk McKinley’s injury and free agency and Malik McDowell’s off-field issue, Cleveland is quite thin at a very important place.
While the team is interested in bringing back Clowney, he has made it clear that money will be the biggest part of his decision.
The big need on the line is one of the reasons that wide receiver is not a slam dunk pick for the team with their top selection in the upcoming NFL draft. While it seems headed in that direction, the lack of a threat outside of Garrett could be a problem.
One solution could be an old friend of the team. Olivier Vernon, who tore his Achilles at the end of the 2020 season, much like McKinley’s tear in 2021, is coming back to the NFL in 2022:
Impending free agent Olivier Vernon expects to be ready to return to the field and be at full-strength by the season, per source.
Vernon recorded 36 tackles and nine sacks before tearing his Achilles Week 17 of the 2020 season. #NFL
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) March 3, 2022
Vernon was acquired along with Odell Beckham Jr. in a trade with the New York Giants. In his two years with the team, Vernon had 12.5 sacks including nine in 2020. His injury kept him out all of 2021.
Familiarity with the Browns and the team’s dire need could lead to a reunion. While it may take him a little bit of time to knock the rust off, the 31-year-old could be a productive piece of a rotation in Cleveland.