Cleveland Browns free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 24: Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Tackle Jason Peters (71) waits for the snap during the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles on November 24, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 24: New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins Sr. (58) gets set to block a field goal try during a game between the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys on November 24, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Jamie Collins, OLB

Cleveland did a modest job defending the pass last season. Stopping the run? Not so much. The team surrendered the third-highest total rushing yards (2,315) and rushing yards-per attempt (5.0), as well as the fourth-most rushing scores (19).

Coupled with this inability to stop the run, the Browns didn’t get nearly enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This glaring issue was seen much more when Myles Garrett was suspended.

So, sticking to the “familiar faces in familiar places” theme, the Browns should bring Jamie Collins back in free agency. He was traded to the team in 2016, and he played the ’17 and ’18 seasons in Cleveland.

Collins had one of the better seasons of his career in ’18 with the Browns. Molding his style of play and finding a way to become a more complete linebacker, Bill Belichick brought Collins back to New England for the ’19 season.

The 30-year-old became a key player for the league’s top defense. He put together the best all-around season of his career in 2019. He had career-highs in interceptions (3) and sacks (7).

Collins would do a lot for his former team. He can be used as an effective pass rusher, but he can also drop back into coverage. If the team decides to cut ties with Christian Kirksey, Collins would be an immediate upgrade. Collins and Mack Wilson in 2020? That would excite the fan base.

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