Fansided

NFL free agency 2019: Grades for every team

By Kevin Parvizi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring on a 10-yard pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring on a 10-yard pass against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns

Key Additions: WR Odell Beckham Jr., EDGE Olivier Vernon, DT Sheldon Richardson, RB Kareem Hunt, TE Demetrius Harris

Key Departures: OG Kevin Zeitler, ILB Jamie Collins, WR Breshad Perriman, CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, S Jabrill Peppers

Grade: A++

There is absolutely no doubt that the Cleveland Browns were the biggest winners in free agency this year, as they legitimately added three stars at critical positions in a pass-happy league. Cleveland also managed to hold onto Rashard Higgins, their best receiver last season, despite only tendering him with an original, fifth-round tender in restricted free agency.

While Olivier Vernon is an underrated edge defender who proved himself against some of the best tackles in the NFL as a member of the New York Giants in the NFC East, Odell Beckham Jr. is the true game-changer here. He’ll make everyone in that offense that much better, and the league could witness a new level of greatness at the wide receiver position with Beckham catching passes from the highly impressive Baker Mayfield.

Beckham has no weaknesses in his game as a receiver, and his athletic ability is only surpassed by his additional to detail. In Beckham and Mayfield, the Browns have two of the hungriest players in the league ready to get on the same page for a Super Bowl run.

Furthermore, Beckham will let Jarvis Landry blossom as a chain-moving No. 2, calling back to their days at LSU. Higgins and tight ends David Njoku and Demterius Harris, a sleeper signing by general manager John Dorsey, also stand to benefit from the attention Beckham will command.

The Browns pass rush looks just as formidable as their passing attack. Myles Garrett is one of the league’s best, and Vernon is a consistent disruptor. Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi will be dangerous sources of interior pressure, and interior pressure is a true killer for offenses.

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