Browns' Last-Minute Guide to 2023 NFL Free Agency

General manager Andrew Berry, head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns face a pivotal 2023 offseason and it all starts with the opening of the legal tampering period on Monday.

The organization's brain trust made the splashiest move possible last offseason when they traded for Deshaun Watson. Not only did they give up a cache of draft picks that included three first-round picks, a third-rounder and a fourth, but they handed him a five-year, $235 million fully guaranteed contract.

They did not see immediate results from that investment. The Browns struggled to a 7-10 record and had to wait for Watson's debut while he served an 11-game suspension after the NFL found he violated its personal-conduct policy. Watson was the subject of 25 lawsuits from women alleging sexual assault or misconduct during massage therapy sessions.

Now the Browns enter free agency with some fairly tight budgetary constraints and a list of needs if they are going to make the most of having Watson on their team.

Here's a look at their current cap situation, their notable free agents and a look at their biggest needs and top potential targets.

Cap Situation

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Deshaun Watson's unprecedented contract is going to play a role in the Browns' cap situation for the foreseeable future.

Cap Space: Minus-$13.5 million, per Spotrac.

This is a number that is just about guaranteed to change in the near future. The Browns are over the salary cap just as free agency is about to start but there are a lot of things that Andrew Berry can do to free up some room and make some moves.

The most significant is restructuring Deshaun Watson's contract. Yes, it's fully guaranteed, but a restructure allows the team to convert salary into a bonus which they can then spread out over the life of the contract or even add a void year.

Berry acknowledged that a restructure is a possibility when speaking to the media at the combine.

Watson's cap hit is supposed to be $55 million this season, which would be a record. However, $46 million of that is salary which would be eligible for conversion.

It's not a fix-all. That would only serve to swell the numbers in the following years and kick the financial can down the road, but the salary cap continues to rise every year.

Watson is obviously not the only restructuring or extension candidate who could save the team money. Myles Garrett and Amari Cooper could each be restructured and clear over $12 million apiece.

That opens up a lot of possibilities.

Notable Free Agents

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Jadeveon Clowney has likely played his last snap with the Browns.

• C Ethan Pocic
• QB Jacoby Brissett
• RB Kareem Hunt
• Edge Jadeveon Clowney
• LB Deion Jones
• LB Sione Takitaki
• LB Anthony Walker Jr. 
• CB Greedy Williams

The offense really isn't losing much. Most of the unit will be back and it's hard to see them retaining any of the three players listed here.

Pocic filled in at center well, but he may have priced himself out of Cleveland. There aren't a ton of quality centers in the free agent market and the Browns have an alternative answer in Nick Harris who missed the whole 2022 season with an injury.

Jacoby Brissett already did his job in Cleveland. He was a serviceable starter until Watson returned. Now, he'll likely serve in a similar role elsewhere.

Hunt reportedly requested a trade this season, and is still well behind Nick Chubb in the pecking order. He'll have the unenviable task of trying to find money in a loaded running back class.

The defense is where there are some key questions. Jadeveon Clowney was sent home by the end of the season and clearly isn't feeling being in Cleveland anymore.

The linebacking corps could see major renovations. There are multiple free agents at the position and new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz might just want to start over.

Biggest Needs and Top Targets

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Dalvin Tomlinson would help improve the run defense.

Wide Receiver

The Browns might not be losing any notable receiver in free agency but they should be looking into gaining one. Amari Cooper did a great job of coming into Cleveland and giving the passing attack a true No. 1 receiver last season.

But he's not a one-man wrecking crew. The Browns have to upgrade the weaponry around Watson to get the most out of him. That's likely going to happen through the draft but they should at least add one pass-catcher with a proven production that can help threaten secondaries.

Top Targets: Darius Slayton, Parris Campbell, DJ Chark

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Defensive Tackle

The Browns suffered from a lack of physicality and toughness on defense last year. Part of it was on defensive coordinator Joe Woods' scheme but the front office deserves its share of the blame too. The Browns trotted out a Round 3 pick in Jordan Elliott and a failed former first-rounder in Taven Bryan as their best interior defenders.

The analytics might say the interior isn't as important, but the very simple stat that they gave up 4.7 yards per carry says they might want to revisit that philosophy. It wouldn't hurt to get at least one run-stuffer on the open market.

Top Targets: Dalvin Tomlinson, Sheldon Rankins, Poona Ford

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Linebacker

The Browns have most of their returning production at the linebacker position hitting free agency. Given how bad the defense was last season, it's not a lock they will want to bring any of them back.

It's a position that wouldn't be too hard to rebuild through free agency and the draft. The group of free agents has some elite talents, but also functional starters who would be upgrades over what the Browns currently have on the roster.

Top Targets: T.J Edwards, Bobby Okereke, Leighton Vander Esch