Would Jadeveon Clowney Make Sense For The Browns?

NFL free agency has largely wrapped up with only a few big names left. The one of interest to the Cleveland Browns: defensive end Jadeveon Clowney.

The 27-year-old Clowney, per recent reports, has not been able to secure the $20 million per salary he wanted on the open market and is still and is dropping his asking price to the $17-18 million range. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns “got closer” than other teams. The Seahawks, Jets and Titans are also reportedly interested.

The Browns, for what it’s worth, still have $43 million in cap space, per Over The Cap, after signing the likes of tackle Jack Conklin and tight end Austin Hooper to lucrative deals this offseason. Cleveland also signed defensive end in Adrian Clayborn to a two-year, $6 million deal, although his deal has not yet been factored into the team’s cap. So, if Andrew Berry and the front office wanted to, they could sign Clowney and still have money left. But, notably, they could also cut defensive end Olivier Vernon, save $15.5 million and then add Clowney. If they cut Vernon and sign Clowney for $18 and $3 million goes to Clayborn, Cleveland still has $37.5 million in cap space.

From an on field perspective, getting Clowney makes sense. Pairing him with Myles Garrett gives the Browns two top-tier defensive ends to build a defense around, plus having Clayborn around for depth purposes and to allow Garrett or Clowney to play inside on certain downs. The same set-up is possible if Vernon sticks around too, but Clowney would be an upgrade. Per PFF, Clowney was the 10th-best edge rusher in football last year; Vernon was 22nd.

Clowney is also two years younger than the 29-year-old Vernon and historically more durable. Over the last three years, he’s played in 44 of a possible 48 games; Vernon has appeared in 33 of 48 possible games. If he truly is gettable for $1.5 or $2.5 million more per year than Vernon, then upgrading to Clowney makes a world of sense. Vernon will be a free agent next offseason anyway, so even if Clowney comes in a one-year deal, it still makes sense.

Are there concerns about Clowney? Absolutely. He’s penalty prone, he’s known to not give it his all on every play and his raw sack totals — just 5.3 per year — are underwhelming. But he’s an athletic freak who the numbers say makes an impact, particularly as a run defender. Maybe he’s not worth $20.8 million a year that Frank Clark got from the Chiefs or the $21 million Demarcus Lawrence got from the Cowboys. Those two deals, plus Khalil Mack’s, set the market for edge rushers. If Clowney can be had for under that, even by a little, then getting him makes sense.