Browns' 2024 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss
The Cleveland Browns came into the 2023 season looking like a borderline playoff team. They ended up making the postseason with an 11-6 record, though their path to the postseason had more twists and turns than anyone could have imagined.
Despite placing key players like Nick Chubb, Deshaun Watson, Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills and Dawand Jones on injured reserve, Cleveland kept finding ways to win. The Browns stormed into the playoffs with quarterback Joe Flacco, their fourth starter of the year.
It was a magical run for the Browns, who simply wouldn't let injuries or excuses stand between them and the playoffs.
Now that their postseason is over following a 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans, head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry have a lot of work to do. Cleveland has numerous players slated to hit the market—in part because it had to keep adding them to the roster—and a few holes that need to be addressed.
Here's an early preview of what's in store for the Browns in the 2024 offseason.
Free Agents
1 of 3
Unrestricted Free Agents
LB Matthew Adams
P Corey Bojorquez
TE Harrison Bryant
OT Geron Christian
OL Michael Dunn
DT Jordan Elliott
QB Joe Flacco
CB Michael Ford
WR Jakeem Grant
WR Marquise Goodwin
S Kahlef Hailassie
S Duron Harmon
C Nick Harris
DT Shelby Harris
RB Kareem Hunt
DT Maurice Hurst
LB Jordan Kunaszyk
S Rodney McLeod
LB Jacob Phillips
WR James Proche
DE Za'Darius Smith
LB Sione Takitaki
LB Anthony Walker Jr.
Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents
None
The Browns have several contributors set to hit the market this offseason, including linebacker Sione Takitaki, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., tight end Harrison Bryant, pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith, running back Kareem Hunt, safety Rodney McLeod, punter Corey Bojorquez and offensive tackle Geron Christian.
Several of these players—notable Smith, Hunt, Bojorquez and Christian, who played well following Wills' injury—justify retention. However, Cleveland is in a difficult spot financially and will have to let a lot of good role players go.
That most likely includes Flacco, who was never supposed to be part of Cleveland's long-term plan. Watson is still viewed as the team's long-term starter, while rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is its long-term backup.
The bigger question is whether Cleveland will part with even more key players. The Browns are projected to be $13.9 million over the salary cap and have a couple of potential cap casualties to evaluate.
The most notable is running back Nick Chubb. He's the heart of the Browns offense, but he also suffered a significant knee injury in Week 2. When and if he'll be able to return to Pro Bowl form is a major unknown, and the 28-year-old is entering the final year of his contract.
Releasing Chubb would be a hard move to swallow, but it would save $11.9 million in cap space. Kicker Dustin Hopkins and wideout Elijah Moore, both of whom suffered injuries at the end of the regular season, are additional cut candidates.
Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets
2 of 3
Berry and the Browns were extremely aggressive during the 2023 offseason. They signed players like Dalvin Tomlinson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo early in free agency while executing trades for Moore and Smith.
Because of the cap situation, the Browns might not be as aggressive this offseason. Expect Cleveland to focus more on retaining its own players while improving the roster through the draft.
That said, if a potential bargain can be found on the trade market—like the one Cleveland got with Amari Cooper in 2022—Berry will jump on it. Expect players on expiring contracts, like pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari and wideout Mike Williams, to interest the Browns the most.
In free agency, Cleveland will likely target the second and third waves more than the first. They could use linebacker help, though potential budget free agents like Drue Tranquill and Denzel Perryman are more likely than stars like Devin White and Patrick Queen.
If Chubb does depart, complementary backs like D'Onta Foreman and Jerick McKinnon will probably be on Cleveland's radar. Jerome Ford has been a serviceable starter, but he's better suited to lead a committee than to handle an every-down role.
The Browns could also use a reliable perimeter receiver opposite Amari Cooper, though they probably won't have the capital to chase one of the top names on the market. If that changes, though, wideouts like Tee Higgins, Michael Pittman Jr. and Calvin Ridley should be near the top of Cleveland's wish list.
Wills has largely been a disappointment at left tackle, but there aren't any truly intriguing alternatives in this year's market. Retaining Christian is probably Cleveland's best option.
Draft Targets
3 of 3
Once again, the Browns won't have a first-round pick. The 2024 draft will be the last in which Cleveland owes its first-round pick to the Houston Texans for the Watson trade—and Houston also owns the Browns' fourth-rounder.
Cleveland will have second- and third-round picks, plus fifth-and sixth-round selections.
Berry has found some success with middle-round picks—with players like Jones and Martin Emerson Jr.—so we may see Cleveland again trade down in the second round to accumulate more of them. If the Browns don't, offensive tackle and wide receiver are the two most logical positions to target.
Wills has not panned out, and with Christian providing no noticeable drop-off at left tackle, it's hard to see Cleveland sticking with Wills beyond next season. Grabbing a tackle in Round 2, like Houston's Patrick Paul, would be entirely sensible.
"Paul still needs significant technique work to play with better leverage, control and sustain skills," Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "But he has ideal length with starter-level athletic ability, play strength and a nasty demeanor that can be harnessed into a starting role within his first few seasons."
Receiver prospects like North Carolina's Devontez Walker, Texas' Adonai Mitchell and Georgia's Ladd McConkey would also make sense on Day 2.
Even if Chubb returns for 2024, expect the Browns to add to their succession plan. RB prospects like Notre Dame's Audric Estimé and Michigan's Blake Corum should get some attention.
Cleveland will want to reload its talented defense, so expect prospects like Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman, Washington State safety Jaden Hicks, Penn State pass-rusher Adisa Isaac and Georgia defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse to draw further interest in the middle round.
.jpg?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Draft Football")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers React to Simpson Pick 🤭")
.jpg?w=600 "Cards Had Wrong Love Number 😅")