NFL free agency rumors: 3 players the Browns should target this offseason
The Cleveland Browns ended their playoff drought but have work to do in free agency to get over the hump and past the Kansas City Chiefs next year.
Surprisingly, the Cleveland Browns are one of the more complete rosters in the NFL. Baker Mayfield can get the job done, the offensive line is top-five in the league and a 1-2 combination on the ground will be deadly once again in 2021.
Unfortunately, the back seven struggled to play consistent football in 2020. Injuries and COVID-19 forced the linebackers and secondary to play bench players down the stretch,
While it didn’t cost them a playoff spot, a win over the Steelers was easy. Beating Patrick Mahomes in Arrowhead? That’s a whole different story.
Andrew Berry has the pieces to be great already in the building. The right coach has arrived in Kevin Stefanski. Mayfield has a plethora of weapons to work with in Year 4. If the team wants to extend Nick Chubb to a massive deal, he’s certainly lived up to the hype.
Minor moves could turn the Browns from a good team to a contending franchise. These additions would be vital in Cleveland’s race to become kings of the AFC North.
3 free agents the Cleveland Browns should target in 2021
Cleveland Browns. Rashard Higgins. player. 53. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. WR. 3
No one would deny that Odell Beckham Jr. is a talented receiver. Throughout his six years as a pro, the former New York Giant superstar has proven his production, size and personality make him a top 15 name at the position.
That last part though. Personality. Cleveland isn’t a city that is known for the superstar mantra. They’re a ground and pound, nitty-gritty city. That, plus the success of Mayfield without Beckham Jr. likely would make him available on the open market.
Cleveland doesn’t need to add another receiver with the draft coming up, but Rashard Higgins‘ success in the second half could be missed. With Beckham Jr. on the injured reserve, Higgins earned more playing time, seeing career-highs in receiving yards (559), yards per catch (16.2) and touchdowns (4).
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jarvis Landry and Higgins played an essential role in the Browns’ aerial attack for 2020. Higgins has shown the capability to be a high-end No.3 or low-end No.2 option, especially in an offense like Stefanski. For the right price, he should be back in the Land come 2021.