Free Agents Browns Should Pursue After 2023 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns made the most of their seven selections in the 2023 NFL draft, five of which came on the event's final day. They added four offensive players and three defenders, filling some holes on their roster and picking up a few developmental prospects.

But Cleveland may not be done bolstering its roster this offseason. It still has $7.1 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap, and there are a few units the team could upgrade before training camp arrives this summer.

While most of the top NFL free agents have long since signed with teams, some quality players remain on the market. And quite a few of them may be willing to sign low-cost prove-it deals, considering they haven't inked deals well into the offseason.

With the draft over, here's a look at some free agents the Browns may still want to consider signing ahead of the 2023 season.

J.D. McKissic, RB

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 09: J.D. McKissic #23 of the Washington Commanders rushes the ball against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField on October 09, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Cleveland hasn't brought back running back Kareem Hunt (who remains a free agent), so it doesn't have as much depth in its backfield behind starter Nick Chubb. It may not be a bad idea for the team to add a low-cost veteran back to provide another option beyond Chubb.

J.D. McKissic spent the past three seasons with Washington, although he played in only eight games during the 2022 campaign due to a neck injury. But the 29-year-old has the potential to bring a lot to an offense, as he showed at times for the Commanders.

Not only is McKissic a solid runner, but he's a great pass-catching back. In 35 games from 2020 to 2022, he had 150 receptions for 1,159 yards and four touchdowns.

If the Browns signed McKissic, they'd have another versatile running back in the mix, as Demetric Felton Jr. is also a two-way threat. The offense would likely benefit from that, and it would give Cleveland added insurance in case anything happens to Chubb at any point.

Frank Clark, DE

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: Frank Clark #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a sack against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

There aren't a ton of proven edge-rushers on the Browns' roster other than Myles Garrett. The other starting spot is likely to go to Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who has only made eight starts over his first four NFL seasons. Isaiah McGuire, who was selected by Cleveland in the fourth round of the draft and should be in the pass-rushing mix as a rookie.

The Browns could greatly improve their defensive front by signing Frank Clark. The 29-year-old defensive end is a three-time Pro Bowler with 58.5 sacks in 120 career games over eight NFL seasons. He's coming off a 2022 campaign in which he recorded five sacks in 15 games and helped the Kansas City Chiefs win a Super Bowl title.

Clark should have plenty of productive years still to come. So maybe Cleveland could even sign him to a multiyear deal. Alternatively, Clark could ink a one-year contract and test free agency again next offseason in hopes of landing a larger deal then.

Either way, Clark would be a great addition to the Browns' pass rush. He and Garrett could be a formidable duo in 2023 (and potentially for longer).

Anthony Barr, LB

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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 18: Anthony Barr #42 of the Dallas Cowboys lines up against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at TIAA BANK Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was an offensive assistant with the Minnesota Vikings from 2006 to 2019. That's why it would make sense for him to target linebacker Anthony Barr, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Vikings from 2014 to 2021.

Stefanski and Barr already have ties, so the 31-year-old could be a good fit with the Browns. Especially because they could add a bit more linebacker depth, and Barr would likely come at a lower price after a relatively quiet year with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.

In his lone season in Dallas, Barr played in 14 games and made 10 starts, recording 58 tackles and one sack. But he was a four-time Pro Bowler during his time in Minnesota, earning a selection every year from 2015 to 2018.

It could work well for Cleveland to have Barr as a rotational player, while he would get a chance to prove he can still play at a high level.