At this stage of free agency most big-name players have already found new homes, as there has been plenty of movement across the league. The Browns, still suffering from the Watson contract, haven’t made many splashy signings but added some talented players to the roster. While there are still a couple positions of need, the Browns have amassed a total of 10 draft picks to address these, including finding a long-term solution at QB. That being said, here are all moves Andrew Berry and his team have made in free agency so far:
Joe Flacco (QB)
Contract Details: 1 year, $4,000,000 ($3,000,000 guaranteed)
Bringing back Joe Flacco doesn’t solve the Browns’ long-term quarterback question, but it does provide a solid baseline heading into 2025. In a tumultuous 2023 season, Flacco, coming off his couch, led the Browns to the playoffs with an impressive five-game stretch, averaging 323.3 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Despite a first-round playoff exit, his performance earned him AP Comeback Player of the Year honors. Looking at the past three seasons, there’s no doubt Flacco was the best quarterback to wear the orange and brown. His existing chemistry with Kevin Stefanski and many of the offensive players, positions him as the likely Week 1 starter. With OTAs just around the corner, Flacco will benefit from a full offseason and the chance to dig a little deeper into the playbook than last time. Still, this move shouldn’t stop Cleveland from targeting a quarterback early in the draft. It simply means they won’t be forced to throw a rookie straight into the fire.
Grade: A-
Kenny Pickett (QB)
Trade Details: Acquired for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick (#165)
Contract Details: 1 year, $2,623,350 (fully guaranteed)
After giving DTR two chances to prove himself as a starter, the Browns ultimately chose to move on from their backup. In his place, the front office brought in Kenny Pickett, a more experienced veteran with 24 career starts for the Steelers. However, Pickett was unable to hold onto the starting job in Pittsburgh and was traded to the Eagles after just two seasons. Given his track record, it’s hard to see him developing into a true franchise quarterback at this stage of his career, though he is clearly an upgrade over DTR as the backup. Reports indicate that Pickett has been told he will compete for the starting job, but I’d be shocked if he takes the field as the Week 1 starter. While this is a solid move, it doesn’t solve the Browns’ quarterback issue, making another veteran addition very likely.
Grade: B
DeAndre Carter (WR/Return Specialist)
Contract Details: 1 year, $1,422,500 ($767,500 guaranteed)
In recent years, the Browns have consistently kept a roster spot for a designated return specialist. Though injuries prevented players like Nyheim Miller-Hines and Jakeem Grant from making an impact, it’s clear the team values this role. This offseason, the Browns signed DeAndre Carter, a player who has primarily made his mark in the return game throughout his NFL career. While he may see a few manufactured touches on offense, this signing is mainly about bolstering Bubba Ventrone’s unit.
Grade: B
Cornelius Lucas (OT)
Contract Details: 2 years, $6,500,000 ($3,255,000 guaranteed)
With Jedrick Wills still a free agent, Dawand Jones coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries, and Jack Conklin’s history of health concerns, adding an offensive tackle in free agency felt inevitable. In Cornelius Lucas, the Browns landed one of the league’s better swing tackles, providing both valuable depth and even a potential starting option. Before his injury, Dawand Jones started three games at left tackle in place of Wills. While he may be a more natural fit on the right side, I expect Cleveland to at least give him another opportunity on the left this season. With Conklin set to hit free agency after 2025, some reshuffling is likely in the near future, making Lucas, who can play both tackle spots, a perfect fit. Though he isn’t a long-term solution, he’s a solid band-aid at a great value.
Grade: A-
Teven Jenkins (OG)
Contract Details: 1 year, $3,050,000 ($2,670,000 guaranteed)
With both Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio set to hit free agency in 2026, the Browns have added another highly talented guard to the mix. Considering the deals awarded to players like Aaron Banks ($19.25 million avg.) and Will Fries ($17.54 million avg.), Jenkins’ deal almost seems too good to be true. However, his biggest concern is durability, having played in just 45 games (38 starts) out of a possible 68 due to injuries. This likely kept his market value in check, making him an affordable addition for the Browns. When healthy, Jenkins is one of the better guards in the league and provides valuable depth in case of an injury to Bitonio or Teller. Beyond that, this signing could also serve as a trial run for Jenkins as a potential long-term replacement, especially with Bitonio considering retirement. That said, the biggest takeaway from these contract details is clear – Wyatt Teller isn’t going anywhere!
From a value standpoint, this is easily my favorite Browns signing so far, as they continue to strengthen the trenches. If last season’s offensive line struggles persist, Cleveland now has a compelling option on the bench should they choose to shake things up a little. With extensive experience at both guard spots, and even some snaps at left tackle, Jenkins brings valuable versatility. However, he is far more impactful as a guard, which should be his primary role in Cleveland, whether as a short-term depth piece or a potential long-term solution.
Grade: A+
Maliek Collins (DT)
Contract Details: 2 years, $20,000,000 ($10,000,000 guaranteed)
By releasing Dalvin Tomlinson, the Browns created a void on their interior defensive line. They quickly addressed it by signing Maliek Collins, who had just been released by the 49ers. This move signals a shift toward prioritizing interior pass rush, replacing a space-eating nose tackle with a more disruptive pass rusher. Collins previously spent two seasons under current Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire in Houston, recording 8.5 sacks during that stretch. While he is about a year younger than Tomlinson and comes on a slightly cheaper contract, the Browns now have to deal with significant dead cap hits from Tomlinson’s contract ($5.042 million in 2025 and $12.109 million in 2026). Although Collins should boost the interior pass rush, I wouldn’t necessarily call this a clear upgrade from Tomlinson, either on the field or in terms of contract value. However, evaluating the signing on its own, the Browns may have slightly overpaid but still landed a solid veteran starter to reinforce the defensive line.
Grade: C+
Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (EDGE)
Contract Details: 1 year, $4,755,000 ($3,475,000 guaranteed) (source)
Tryon-Shoyinka may not have lived up to his first-round draft status in Tampa Bay, but he has been a reliable contributor throughout his four-year career. A true Ironman in Todd Bowles’ defense, he has appeared in 70 of a possible 72 games. The Browns clearly have a preferred mold for their edge rushers, favoring big-bodied, long-limbed players. At 6’5″ with an 82.75-inch wingspan, Tryon-Shoyinka fits that profile perfectly and should be an excellent scheme fit in Cleveland’s 4-3 front. Still just 25 years old and coming off his least productive season, he now has a prime opportunity to set himself up for the next free agency period. Playing alongside Myles Garrett and a strong defensive front should help him boost his stock for a third contract, whether that’s in Cleveland or elsewhere. Overall, this is a smart, high-upside signing that has the potential to pay off well for the Browns.
Grade: A-
Devin Bush (LB)
Contract Details: 1 year, $3,250,000 ($2,970,000 guaranteed)
Devin Bush experienced a true career resurgence in Jim Schwartz’s defense last season. Though he began the year as more of a backup, injuries to JOK and Jordan Hicks created an opportunity for him to step into a larger role. One of Bush’s biggest strengths is his reliability as a tackler, rarely putting himself in bad positions. His combination of 4.43 speed and strong instincts makes him an ideal fit for Schwartz’s scheme. While there weren’t many bright spots in the Browns’ 2024 season, the linebacker group, especially Bush, were among the few positives. With uncertainty surrounding JOK’s immediate and possibly long-term availability, re-signing Bush was a no-brainer. If he can replicate last season’s impact, this contract will once again be an absolute bargain.
Grade: A
Jerome Baker (LB)
Contract Details: 1 year, $1,422,500 ($717,500 guaranteed)
With the already mentioned lingering uncertainty around JOK’s availability for 2025 and beyond, the Browns have added another reinforcement in Jerome Baker. The Cleveland native spent last season with both the Seahawks and Titans after six years in Miami. Baker has a similar size profile to JOK and has been one of the league’s better blitzing linebackers throughout his time with the Dolphins. While he won’t have the same impact as JOK, he is likely to fill a very similar role in the defense. Although his addition may not bode well for JOK’s status, Baker helps round out the linebacker room nicely.
Grade: B+
Tony Brown (CB/ST)
Contract Details: 1 year, $1,337,500 (no guarantees)
After losing two key special teams contributors in D’Anthony Bell and Mike Ford through free agency, the Browns ensured they kept Tony Brown on the roster. His combination of height, weight, and speed makes him an intriguing specialist, which has been the foundation of his seven-year NFL career. Brown also has a history with special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, dating back to their time together with the Colts in 2022. While the Browns have several young players capable of contributing on special teams, they prefer to keep a few dedicated specialists on the roster as well. Without any guarantees, the Browns have the flexibility to cut him if they believe they have better options available.
Grade: B
(Last updated on April 12, 2025)
Image licensing: “Joe Flacco“, by “Erik Drost“, originally licensed under CC BY 2.0
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