Cleveland Browns' 10-Win Plan: Step 3—Sign Defensive Unrestriced Free Agents

Given the first two steps toward the Browns winning 10 games in 2012, the team has $16.3 million left under the cap. 

The team will need about $5 million for signing the drafted rookies.  That would leave $11.3 million to sign defensive players.

The Browns’ D played much better under defensive coordinator Dick Jauron in 2011.  But there are still several key holes to be filled, and some of them should be filled by veterans.

The positions that most critically need veteran help are defensive end and free safety.

Defensive End

While rookie DE Jabaal Sheard played very well last season, the other side produced very little.  The team needs a solid veteran DE opposite Sheard to provide additional pass rush and allow Jayme Mitchell, the former starter, to be a rotational player.

Mario Williams: Houston Texans, age 27, 6’6”, 283 lbs

Williams was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft as a DE and played that position very successfully until the 2011 season. This year he was forced to OLB by a change to 3-4. 

He has played in 82 games with 82 starts.  He played in only five games this season, ending the year on IR.  He has amassed 241 tackles with 53 sacks, 10 passes defended and 11 forced
fumbles.

Williams is one of the top DEs in the league.  He uses his speed and fluid hips to get
around OTs and get to the QB.  But he has the power in his legs to bull rush and push the OT back into the QB as well.  He is outstanding at using his hands to keep the OT off-balance, which improves his chances of getting a sack.  

He has a flash first step with excellent athleticism for a DE and a high motor that makes him successful.  He has high awareness and play recognition as a DE but has not made the transition to the OLB.  His instincts are good with enough moves, power and finesse to be very effective. 

As an OLB at 283 lbs, he is not comfortable playing in space.  He struggles to cover a running back man-to-man coming out of the backfield.  He also struggles in zone coverage and is not in a position to take full advantage of his skills.  His play at OLB contributed greatly to his injury last season. 

He is an unrestricted free agent and will be looking for a 4-3 team to join.  Given the improvement in the Texans D, they will not be going back to the 4-3 any time soon.  He will want to move on.  The Texans are cap-strapped and are not in a position to be able to franchise him.  They also have a very solid replacement in Connor Barwin, a second-round pick in 2009.

He will be highly sought-after as a free agent and get a nice payday.  He is not what the Browns will go after but exactly what they need. 

Very seldom can you get a first overall pick, who has been successful, as a free agent.  And the Browns will not get this one, but they should at least try.

Projected Cost: $9 million

Defensive End: Less-Costly Alternative

Jamaal Anderson: Indianapolis Colts, age 25, 6’6”, 272 lbs

If the Browns are not able to land Williams, Anderson is a much less-expensive alternative.  He started from Day 1 with the Falcons until 2010, playing 75 games with 48 started but just four in last two years.

He has 7.5 sacks in last two years with two forced fumbles.  He was a reserve for the Colts in 2011.  He had a good year in relief of DE Dwight Freeney, who is primarily a pass-rush specialist. 

He gets off blocks quickly and uses his hands to avoid getting locked up by the blocker.  He is strong, relying primarily on power moves.  He is solid against the run with good instincts and the experience to sniff out sweeps and counters to his side.  That is something that the Browns need from a DE.

It is hard to figure who will stay and will be allowed to leave under the Colts' new GM Ryan Grigson. 

He could start for the Browns from the day of his signing.

Projected Cost: $2 million

Free Safety

Tyvon Branch: Oakland Raiders, age 26, 6’0”, 200 lbs

Branch was the first pick in the fourth round of the 2008 draft (pick 100).  He played in eight games that year but has started the last three seasons. 

He has 16 passes defended and three interceptions.  He also has 347 tackles.

While Branch is not as skilled as Landry, he also has not missed a single game with an injury. 
Branch has cornerback speed and safety toughness. 

He was the Raiders' leading tackler in 2011.   He has above-average athleticism for a safety, with the ability to jump with TEs for the ball.

The Raiders will do their best to resign him, but they have a number of critical UFAs to get under contract.  He will not be tagged.  He may want to explore other options.  He should be a reasonably-priced FS that the Browns might be willing to consider.

Projected Cost: $1,250,000

Summary

The total cost of the defensive UFAs I have proposed is $10,250,000.  That would leave a little more than $6 million to sign the rookies.  It is very unlikely the team would even try to get Williams. 

If they signed Anderson instead, there would be another $7 million available. 

I truly believe these UFAs plus a great draft would get the Browns to nine or 10 wins in 2012. 

That would be the kind of improvement that can make every Browns fan comfortable with the current administration.

Tomorrow I will project the draft picks for the first three rounds that would move the team closer to the 10-win level. 

That is what I think.  Tell us what you think.

If you want a different look at Cleveland Sports, join me on the Internet radio version of News, Notes and Rumors M-Th at 6 PM EST on http://mooheadradio.com/2.0/. 

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Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent.  He edits http://fryingpansports.com.  He has
also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library.com/Contemporary/ and a non-fiction work at http://www.merriam-press.com/.