Fansided

4 teams that should sign Earl Thomas if he’s cut by the Ravens

By Joseph Birdsall

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Earl Thomas #29 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Earl Thomas #29 of the Baltimore Ravens returns an interception in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 8, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /
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Earl Thomas
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns trades cleats with Earl Thomas III #29 of the Baltimore Ravens after the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

3. Cleveland Browns

Cap space certainly will not be a concern for the Browns if they hope to go after Thomas, as Cleveland leads the league in that category, with just over $38 million freed up. If the Ravens cut him and Thomas harbors some ill will, he certainly would not mind staying in the division and playing Baltimore twice a year.

Beyond that, the on-field fit is a good one, as well. Cleveland’s current starting safeties are Karl Joseph and Andrew Sendejo, and both are far from the same caliber as Thomas. However, the Browns still fielded a strong pass defense in 2020, and Thomas has the ability to elevate the unit even further.

Expectations are not quite as high as they were in 2019 for the Browns, but adding Thomas could move the needle a bit in the first year under head coach Kevin Stefanski. The former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator loves to employ a run-heavy attack, and fielding a strong defense will be crucial in sticking to the gameplan.

The Browns are at their best when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are carrying the load, and keeping games close will be the key to giving both running backs their fair share of touches. Thomas is just the kind of over-the-top presence that can help Cleveland limit explosive plays and promote complementary football.

While locker room concerns may be an issue, the skills that Thomas could bring to Cleveland outweigh the potential downsides. The seven-time Pro Bowler could be the missing piece in the Browns’ pursuit of their first playoff appearance since 2002.

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