PFF’s 10 highest-graded Browns’ defensive players vs. Bengals

The backup defense struggled to finish the regular season

Just like they did for the offense Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns rested most of their significant contributors in the season finale against the Bengals. It was not a good start in Cincinnati as the Bengals scored 24 points in the first half and took a commanding 24-0 lead into the break. They played better in the second half as the Bengals also started to pull their starters.

Young safety D’Anthony Bell continued his strong season with his second interception and he played well for most of the day in both facets of the game. Vincent Gray who was elevated from the practice squad for the game had a great day in coverage and made a couple of impressive plays.

Sam Kamara showed his versatility by playing both inside and outside with consistent success. Rookie Isaiah McGuire might have had the best day as he registered five quarterback pressures and two sacks on the day. Here are the Top 10 performances for the defense according to PFF.

Browns: 10-year vet Duron Harmon gets in on the Texans’ Christmas spirit

Even the 10-year vet fresh off the practice squad got in on the action

Getting their second turnover of the day, the old man in the defensive secondary is now getting in on the action for the Cleveland Browns. Already having their way with the Houston Texans, safety Duron Harmon gets the second interception of former Browns’ backup quarterback Case Keenum.

Defensive end Za’Darius Smith is having his best game as a member of the Cleveland Browns. He already has two sacks, and this time got the arm of Keenum, forcing the ball to flutter in the air. Harmon, signed off of the practice squad due to injuries to Rodney McLeod, Grant Delpit, and Juan Thornhill, was there to shag the pop-up fly.

First, it was linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah who got a gift, and now it is Harmon. Winning this game 28-7, the Browns look well on their way to their tenth win of the season. This will give them the chance to clinch a playoff berth at home against the New York Jets on Thursday night.

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Ravens are signing veteran safety Duron Harmon to the practice squad ahead of Week 2

The Baltimore #Ravens are signing veteran safety Duron Harmon to the practice squad ahead of Week 2 matchup against the Bengals via @Thacover2NFL

The Baltimore Ravens are adding veteran safety Duron Harmon to their practice squad ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Harmon’s arrival adds depth to the roster after Marcus Williams suffered a torn pec in the season-opening win over Houston.

Harmon logged 86 tackles for Las Vegas in 2023 and has also started 78 of 161 career NFL games for the Patriots, Lions, and Falcons.

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Ravens had 3 free agent safeties in for a workout

The Baltimore #Ravens had DB Corrion Ballard, DB Duron Harmon and DB DeAndre Houston-Carson in for a workout via @Thacover2NFL

The Ravens worked out three safeties on Monday ahead of two joint practice sessions with the Washington Commanders this week.

According to Aaron Wilson, Corrion Ballard, Duron Harmon and DeAndre Houston-Carson had tryouts in Baltimore just 48-hours after a 20-19 preseason win over the Eagles.

List of notable free agents after first week of training camp

There are some big-name options still available in free agency.

It’s usually slim pickings on the free agent market around this time of the year, but surprisingly, there are still several big-name players out there that remain unsigned.

Most of the notable talent is at the running back position with at least two or three potential NFL starters on the list. The Patriots could certainly use help at that position with Ty Montgomery going down with an injury.

They have mostly leaned on Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. as their top options behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Harris looks the most improved of the two, and they could make the decision to stick with him in the end.

However, they have visited with a few players on this list, including Ezekiel Elliott, Darrell Henderson and Leonard Fournette.

They’ve also reportedly considered a future visit with Dalvin Cook.

But there are more than just running backs on this list of NFL talent. Let’s take a look at some of the more notable unsigned free agents.

Best available free agents before training camp

There is still plenty of quality talent on the free agent market

The New England Patriots are only a few weeks away from the start of training camp, and the free agent market is still full of talented veterans that could give the team a boost.

As of right now, the true potential trouble spots for the Patriots are offensive tackle, wide receiver and cornerback, depending on what happens with the Jack Jones situation.

New England might even consider bringing in a veteran running back to help take some of the load off Rhamondre Stevenson.

There will be opportunities for the team to add to the roster before and during training camp. It’s a fluid situation that’s constantly changing due to performance and injuries. The good news is there’s still plenty of help out there if the Patriots need it.

Here are the best available free agents ahead of training camp:

7 free agents the Saints could sign before training camp

With plenty of salary cap space to spend, here are 7 free agents the New Orleans Saints could sign before training camp | @DillySanders

The New Orleans Saints are rounding out the roster for the 2023 season, but there are still some intriguing names left on the free agent market that the team could look at. Whether it be filling a hole or adding some competition to a room that could use spicing up, it’s never a bad idea to look at who’s on the market.

Despite it being such a huge deal every off season, the Saints have some money left in the cap to work with this year. Thanks to the magic done by Khai Harley, the Saints are under the cap by an estimated $14,243,112 right now. That puts them right in the middle of the pack in the NFL.

Here are seven free agents that the Saints could use some of that money on:

5 safeties the Colts can replace Daniel Scott with

Here are a few options the Colts could consider in order to replace Daniel Scott.

The Indianapolis Colts revealed some unfortunate news Wednesday, placing rookie safety Daniel Scott on the injured reserve list after he suffered a torn ACL on the final play of OTAs last week.

A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of California, Scott was expected to contribute significantly on special teams while providing depth as a versatile player in the safety room.

Because Scott was placed on the injured reserve list before the 53-man roster has been finalized, he will miss the remainder of the 2023 campaign.

Here are five safeties the Colts can replace Scott with going into training camp next month:

5 Raiders free agents that could follow Derek Carr to the Saints

The Saints may not be done adding former Raiders to the roster this offseason. Several could follow Derek Carr to the Big Easy, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

As former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr gets settled in as the New Orleans Saints new starting passer, the timeline of his signing is worth dissecting. The Saints and Carr came to their contract agreement on Mar. 6 this NFL offseason. That gave the Saints signal caller about a week to court potential free agents to join the black and gold in New Orleans. And wouldn’t you know it, there is a long list of former Raiders teammates hitting the market this offseason.

Some of which, could impact the Saints to varying degrees. From bona fide starts, to camp tryouts, New Orleans will have no issues making its new quarterback feel comfortable if he has some teammates he would like to bring along with him. As much as we’d love to highlight big-time players like wideout Davante Adams and tight end Darren Waller, it’s unlikely a trade for either this offseason would make sense. Though a trade for wide receiver Hunter Renfrow should not be considered out of the question.

But that’s for another day. Here are five Raiders free agents that could follow Carr to the Big Easy:

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at safety ahead of free agency

Assessing Raiders level of need at safety as free agency approaches

We take a look at the safety position for the Raiders ahead of free agency to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Returning starters: Tre’von Moehrig

Depth: Roderic Teamer, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Jalen Elliott
Free agents: Duron Harmon, Matthias Farley

Moehrig had a rough season at free safety, but he is the starter and will get a shot to rebound. 

Harmon played well at free safety as a veteran who knows the system. But was he just a bridge player? 

Teamer is a versatile player who lined up at safety and nickel corner while also being a standout special…Teamer. He is valuable depth in the secondary.

Pola-Mao showed some flashes for an undrafted rookie, especially on blitzes. He’s an intriguing young player who could compete for more playing time.

Condition: Unstable

Why: It wouldn’t be tough to get Harmon back, but the team could – and probably should – look for an upgrade.

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