zadarius smith – Page 5 – Syndication Server

38 Browns who will be free agents after the 2023 season

The Browns have 38 upcoming free agents after the 2023 season. The headliners include Za’Darius Smith, Grant Delpit, and more.

The Cleveland Browns were active in NFL free agency this offseason as they look to transform their defensive unit. There are, however, a great deal of those defensive players who will be free agents after the season. This includes the likes of pass rusher Za’Darius Smith and safety Grant Delpit.

Not every free agent is the same level of attainable to retain as there are three different types of free agents. Here are the three different types of NFL free agent and their definitions straight from the NFL’s website:

“Unrestricted free agent (UFA): Any player with four or more accrued seasons and an expired contract; free to negotiate and sign with any team.

Restricted free agent (RFA): A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers (“tenders”) that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation. If the tender is withdrawn by a team, the RFA becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Exclusive rights free agent (ERFA): Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons and an expired contract. If his original team offers him a one-year contract at the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.”

All in all, the Browns are set to see 38 players enter free agency after the 2023 season. Here are those 38 players and the type of free agent they will be.

PFF believes the Cleveland Browns offensive and defensive lines are elite

PFF is pleased with the trenches in Cleveland

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With training camp another month away publications like PFF have begun releasing some of their overall rankings in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns are in elite air when it comes to line play as PFF had them as one of three teams to have both offensive and defensive lines rank in the top 10.

It makes sense on the offensive line, especially as when healthy the unit has been one of the best in the league. The iron man Joel Bitonio at left guard managed to get better as his long career has gone on and when healthy Jack Conklin has been great at right tackle. Ethan Pocic has turned around his early career and Wyatt Teller is a mauler in the run game.

On defense, they have arguably the best edge rusher and added a player in Za’Darius Smith opposite him that has had three double-digit sack seasons in the last four years when healthy. Ogbo Okoronkwo continues to be overlooked as the third pass rusher and Dalvin Tomlinson has improved his pass rush.

The teams with Top-10 offensive and defensive lines on our analyst rankings 💪 pic.twitter.com/OpvmtID1Qy

— PFF (@PFF) June 21, 2023

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Browns have a good chance to go from last to first in the AFC North in 2023

Will the Browns be able to go from fourth to first in the AFC North?

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NFL teams go from the bottom of their divisions to the top all of the time after productive offseasons. Could 2023 be the year that the Cleveland Browns become one of those teams after filling major roster holes? PFF seems to think so ranking them as the second-best chance to go from last to first behind the New York Jets at number one.

“The Browns addressed a lot of their defensive issues this offseason, adding Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency and Siaki Ika in the draft to boost their interior defensive line and trading for Za’Darius Smith to pair with Myles Garrett off the edge.

However, their hope of going worst-to-first mostly hinges on whether quarterback Deshaun Watson can get back to the level of play he showcased before his suspension. Watson’s 92.5 grade was the third-best among quarterbacks in 2020”

Just like several other publications and analysts, PFF believes that it all hinges on Deshaun Watson. They are right of course with quarterback being the most important position in sports. If Watson bounces back, the Browns will not be finishing last in the division in 2023.

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Browns land two pass rushers in PFF’s top 10

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema released a list of his top 10 edge rushers in the NFL, with two #Browns making the cut

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The Cleveland Browns have wrapped up mandatory camp as they break for the summer until training camp kicks off next month. It has been an excellent offseason for general manager Andrew Berry who, on paper, has put together a really nice roster. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema believes that Cleveland’s pass rush should be particularly impressive, ranking two Browns defenders in the top 10 at the edge position.

The Top-10 AFC Edge Defenders, per @TampaBayTre pic.twitter.com/4H8eRHCka9

— PFF (@PFF) June 8, 2023

Sikkema ranked Myles Garrett as the number one edge rusher in the league with Za’Darius Smith at number 10. Last season, the two pass rushers combined for 151 quarterback pressures and 26 sacks, even though Smith was dealing with an injury that limited him in the second half of the league’s schedule.

Smith will likely get even more opportunities to get to the quarterback as he will see fewer double teams and attention with Myles Garrett opposite him on the Browns’ defensive line. Teams will not be able to double-team both, so there will be some great chances for each to have impressive seasons.

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LOOK: Browns players in full uniform as mandatory camp kicks off

#Browns players were in Berea on Monday preparing for mandatory minicamp and having thier photos taken

The 2023 NFL offseason continues as players and coaches of the Cleveland Browns are in Berea for the team’s mandatory minicamp that kicks off later this week. It will be the last time the Browns practice together before they return for training camp and the preseason in July.

On Monday the team was in full uniform as players took pictures and videos for in-game use during the season. Among the players who participated were quarterback Deshaun Watson, edge rushers Alex Wright and Za’Darius Smith, and superstar running back Nick Chubb.

Take a look at the first photos of the 2023 Browns as they inch closer to the beginning of their new campaign:

4 takeaways from Kevin Stefanski’s media availability at Day 2 of OTAs

What stood out from Kevin Stefanski’s media availability at OTAs?

With Day 2 of OTAs under wraps for the Cleveland Browns, they had a handful of members of the organization speak to the media. Among them was head coach Kevin Stefanski. The leadership within the organization remains very closed off to giving direct answers to the media, and today was more of the same from the head coach.

However, we do our best to read between the lines and pick out some key points from Stefanski’s press conference on Wednesday after practice. Here are four takeaways from his 13-minute availability with the media.

LOOK: Sights and sounds from Day 2 of Browns OTAs

Football seasons is around the corner as the team ramps up off season workouts.

The Cleveland Browns are back on the field for the second day of voluntary workouts in Berea on Wednesday. Quarterback Deshaun Watson and new wide receiver Elijah Moore have been working on the chemistry and timing as they play together for the first time.

There are a few players not present or participating according to Zac Jackson including Nick Chubb, Joel Bitonio, David Njoku, and Amari Cooper. These are voluntary workouts so players not being present isn’t a big deal especially established veterans that have been around the league for a while. Let’s take a look at some of the videos from the offseason workouts on Day 2 in Berea.

Browns announce jersey changes after post-draft trade and signings

The Browns have announced new numbers for a handful of players.

Since the 2023 NFL draft was completed, the Cleveland Browns have made a couple of big moves including the big trade for pass rusher Za’Darius Smith. As a result, there are some number changes the team announced Tuesday. This includes a number change for two existing defensive ends, Smith’s choice, and the numbers for two other additions including veteran safety Rodney McLeod.

The Browns have also added two other secondary players in the veteran Super Bowl champion McLeod and journeyman cornerback Chris Westry. Here are the new numbers for the newest members of the Browns, as well as two number changes.