The Vikings reportedly are willing to trade safety Anthony Harris after franchise-tagging him. (nj.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
On the second day of player transactions pre-empting Wednesday’s official start of the NFL business calendar, Browns GM Andrew Berry traded a 2021 seventh-round draft pick to Denver for fullback Andy Janovich.
Janovich joins free agent agreements reached on Monday with tight end Austin Hooper, right tackle Jack Conklin and quarterback Case Keenum.
So that makes four offensive players added to fit new coach Kevin Stefanski’s zone-blocking, play-action passing, bootlegging offensive scheme.
That’s a pretty productive jumpstart for Berry’s transaction season. But the concentration on offense cost the Browns some possible fits for defensive needs.
As attention turns to the defensive side of the ball, pickings are much slimmer from 48 hours ago.
Here’s a look at the Browns’ obvious needs on defense, which free agents have already been signed, and who’s left.
Safety
Needs: Starters at free and strong safety.
Free agents signed: Tre Boston, Carolina, three years/$18million; Jimmie Ward, San Francisco, 3y/$28.5m; Eric Murray, Houston, 3y/$20.25m; Juston Burris, Carolina, 2y/$8m; Clayton Fejedelem, Miami, 3y/$8.55m; Rodney McLeod, Philadelphia, 2y/$12m.
Free agents available: Anthony Harris (Minnesota) through trade; Malcolm Jenkins (Philadelphia), Vonn Bell (New Orleans), Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Chicago), Karl Joseph (Las Vegas), Jayron Kearse (Minnesota), Tony Jefferson (Baltimore), Darian Thompson (Dallas), Tavon Wilson (Detroit), Sean Davis (Pittsburgh), Adrian Phillips (L.A. Chargers).
Analysis: The Vikings applied the franchise tag of $11.41 million on 2019 NFL interception co-leader Harris, but reportedly are willing to trade him for a third-round pick. Stefanski’s connections to the Vikings heighten the interest, but a lucrative long-term deal + a third-round pick make it a costly transaction.
The Eagles made a heart-wrenching decision Tuesday to part ways with Jenkins, the heart and soul of their defense for six years. Berry’s one-year stint with the Eagles acquainted him with one of the league’s most respected players, a consummate professional and team leader. At 32, Jenkins would be the oldest starting player on the roster – the same age as Berry.
Like Jenkins, Bell, Joseph and Jefferson are hitters rather than deep safeties. Whichever position Berry chooses to sign in free agency – strong or free – the opposite would be a high-round target in the draft.
Edge rusher
Need: Starter or rotational backup at defensive end.
Signed: Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami, 2y/$15m; Mario Addison, Buffalo, 3y/$30.45m.; Stephen Weatherly, Carolina, 2y/$12.5m; Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay, 2y/$27m; Shaq Lawson, Miami, 3y/$30m; Robert Quinn, Chicago, 5y/$70m; Carl Nassib, Las Vegas, 3y/$25m.
Available: Jadeveon Clowney (Seattle), Dante Fowler (L.A. Rams), Markus Golden (N.Y. Giants), Derek Wolfe (Denver), Jabaal Sheard (Indianapolis), Noah Spence (New Orleans), Anthony Zettel (San Francisco).
Analysis: Why haven’t the Browns made a roster move yet on oft-injured defensive end Olivier Vernon, whose $15.5 million scheduled base salary is tops on the club? The available edge rushers may not inspire a change. If the Browns decide they want to add somebody at the cheapest price, they could circle back to 2019 roster cut Zettel, who got on the field in each of the 49ers’ three post-season games under the auspices of new Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods and line coach Chris Kiffin.
Linebacker
Need: Starting caliber player to join projected starters Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki.
Signed: Sean Lee, Dallas, 1y/$4.5m; Kyler Fackrell, N.Y. Giants, 1y/$4.6m; Vic Beasley, Tennessee, 1y/$12m; Joe Schobert, Jacksonville, 5y/$53.75m; Corey Littleton, Las Vegas, 3y/$35.25m; Blake Martinez, N.Y. Giants, 3y/$30.75m; A.J. Klein, Buffalo, 3y/$18m; Jamie Collins, Detroit, 3y/$30m; Kyle Van Noy, Miami, 4y/$51m; Jon Bostic, Washington, 2y/$5m; Nick Kwiatkoski, Las Vegas, 3y/$21m; Christian Kirksey, Green Bay, 2y/$16m.
Available: Leonard Floyd (Chicago), Nick Vigil (Cincinnati), Eric Wilson, RFA (Minnesota), Elijah Lee, RFA (San Francisco, no tender), Corey Nelson (Denver), Elandon Roberts (New England), Reggie Ragland (Kansas City), D.J. Alexander (Jacksonville), Preston Brown (Jacksonville).
Analysis: Associations to Minnesota and San Francisco might lead the Browns to take a flier in restricted free agency. But the Vikings gave the second-round tender to Wilson, who they view as a potential starter. The 49ers are not expected to tender Lee, which would make the untested special teamer an unrestricted free agent.
Summary: It would seem incumbent on Berry to fill at least one defensive need in free agency or trade, preferably a safety. Even still, the pre-occupation with offense so far requires the Browns to concentrate on defense with the majority of their seven choices in the draft.