5 targets for Browns in 2022 NFL free agency
By John Buhler
The Cleveland Browns have an opportunity to improve their roster in 2022 NFL free agency.
Though the Cleveland Browns are not exactly brimming with cap space, they have enough to pursue a marquee player or two in 2022 NFL free agency.
This is a critical season for the Browns. It will be the final year of Baker Mayfield’s rookie contract. While Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry seem to be the right guys to lead this team, a lot can change in a year’s time. Simply put, the Browns are too talented to not push for the AFC playoffs next year. Fortunately, this roster does not have a ton of glaring holes that need to be patched up.
Here are five free agents they can pursue with their roughly $24.9 million in available cap space.
Cleveland Browns: 5 players to target in 2022 NFL free agency
53. Scouting Report. Cleveland Browns. David Njoku. 5. player. Pick Analysis. TE
David Njoku is a very polarizing player, but one the Browns know all too well
It has been nothing short of a tumultuous five-year run for tight end David Njoku in Cleveland. The former first-round pick out of Miami has not lived up to the hype of No. 29 overall selection. While he could be on his way out of town after a half-decade stint in Northeast Ohio, he does play in a position group that Stefanski puts a ton of value in. Plus, Austin Hooper could be a cut candidate.
Njoku has shown he can be a productive No. 2 tight end in the league, even though he was drafted to be a No. 1 option. While Hooper has not shown anything close to the Pro Bowl level of productivity he did with the Atlanta Falcons, Njoku has provided enough tape to show that he fits into what the Browns want to do on offense. They may value him more than other teams would.
While it remains to be seen what type of market Njoku will have in his free agency, keep in mind that he is one of the better Browns players in need of a new contract. This really comes down to if Berry thinks he can find a better or cheaper option in free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft, as well as if Stefanski thinks his roster can offset Njoku’s potential departure during this free agency period.
Njoku may truly covet a change of scenery in his free agency, but Cleveland knows him the best.