Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi is not likely to return in 2021. He could use free agency to join mentor and friend Geno Atkins in Cincinnati. (The Athletic)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
It’s quite a busy business season awaiting Andrew Berry in his second year as Browns general manager.
Not only does Berry have to prioritize and execute imminent contract extensions for core players Baker Mayfield, Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward and Wyatt Teller, he has to determine the fate of 23 veteran players with expiring contracts. Fifteen of them are unrestricted free agents (UFA), four are restricted free agents (RFA), and four are exclusive rights free agents (ERFA).
This is the part of Berry’s job that will be well-served by his Harvard bachelor's degree in economics and a master's degree in computer science, plus a well-credentialed analytics staff.
The tasks at hand are complicated by the fact the league salary cap is expected to be lowered as a result of revenue lost in the 2020 pandemic season. Teams had a cap of $198 million in 2020; it could be as low as $175 million in 2021. The new cap number will be made known before the 2021 league year begins March 17.
“Needless to say, we will be monitoring everything,” Berry said in his season-ending Zoom call last week. “I know we will be well-positioned regardless of where the final number lies this season. We are prepared to pivot wherever we may need to do so.
“I do not believe we will go into the spring and have cumbersome restraints in terms of our cap planning across the roster, but we are obviously going to be really deliberate over the next few weeks in mapping out a strategy that will hopefully help allow us to win three more games next year.”
The first order of business is for Berry and his football staff, including coaches, to evaluate which of the Browns’ own free agents to try to re-sign. Meetings inside the Browns' facility began this week on these matters, after which Berry will author the blueprint for his offseason transactions.
Our rundown of players with expiring contracts:
Most likely to be re-signed
1. Wide receiver Rashard Higgins, 27, UFA
His chemistry with Baker Mayfield is stronger than ever. Not fast or physical, he excels at the most obvious yet overlooked task of a receiver – catching the ball.
2. Offensive tackle Kendall Lamm, 29, UFA
Veteran offensive tackles are too valuable to discard. A short-term deal as a backup shouldn’t break the bank.
3. Defensive tackle Vincent Taylor, 27, UFA
This long-armed pass-swatter in the middle of the defensive front was fourth in defensive snaps (19 percent) but impressed enough to earn a longer look.
4. Wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, 26, RFA (undrafted)
Originally endorsed by Mike Priefer as a special teams ace, he won praise for downfield blocking on running plays and also proved a capable pass target.
5. Cornerback Tavierre Thomas, 26, RFA (undrafted)
First in solo tackles (10) and snaps (79.8 percent) on special teams; plus, “you can never have enough corners.”
6. Linebacker Tae Davis, 25, RFA (undrafted)
Another core member of special teams (50.4 percent snaps), his speed is desired at the position and the Browns have two years invested in him.
Possible, not probable
7. Linebacker B.J. Goodson, 28, UFA
Assumed leadership of the position group when Mack Wilson went down with a knee injury and turned in a career year as a three-down linebacker.
8. Cornerback Terrance Mitchell, 29, UFA
With Greedy Williams downed in camp, he led the defense in snaps (99.4 percent), which was important in a Covid-marred season.
9. Safety Karl Joseph, 28, UFA
Had an interception and two fumble recoveries, and tied for fifth in tackles. Nobody hit harder – until Ronnie Harrison arrived.
10. Kicker Cody Parkey, 29, UFA
Despite some anxious moments, he outkicked Chris Boswell and Harrison Butker in the playoffs, making 3 of 3 field goals and 8 of 8 PATs to their 4 of 5 and 3 of 4.
Not likely
11. Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, 27, UFA
He spoke excitedly about free agency and should command strong interest; watch him end up in Cincinnati.
12. Defensive end Olivier Vernon, 31, UFA
His Achilles injury in Game 16 sealed his fate after posting his finest season in five years.
13. Cornerback Kevin Johnson, 29, UFA
After recovering from a lacerated liver, I’m not sure the Browns got what they expected from him, despite six emergency starts.
14. Safety Andrew Sendejo, 34, UFA
He had his downs, but some ups as a trusted coaches surrogate on the field.
15. Linebacker Malcolm Smith, 32, UFA
Finished second on the team in tackles despite playing only 51.9 percent of snaps.
16. Returner JoJo Natson, 27, UFA
The projected top return specialist suffered a torn ACL in Game 3.
17. Receiver Taywan Taylor, 26, UFA
Developmental receiver who never got the chance to showcase his speed.
18. Linebacker Elijah Lee, 25, UFA
Claimed in late October.
19. Receiver Marvin Hall, 28, UFA
Started in the Jets game after four receivers were hastily put on the Covid list; had one catch.
Players with three or fewer years experience are considered exclusive rights free agents. They can be retained with a minimum one-year deal. Players in this category are offensive tackle Michael Dunn, tight end Stephen Carlson, defensive end Porter Gustin and defensive end George Obinna.
Space crunch
According to Spotrac.com, the Browns head into the business season ranked 10th in salary cap room, with $19.535 million based on the minimum projection of a $175 million salary cap.
The space would be eaten up, however, by increases in cap numbers written into existing deals for the following players:
If their contracts are not reworked, those eight players will account for $20.319 million more in cap charges in 2021 than they did in 2020. Further, the contracts tolled by two players expected back who opted out in 2020 – defensive tackle Andrew Billings ($3.5 million) and guard Drew Forbes ($892,000) -- would bring additional cap charges of $4.392 million.
Making room
One way for teams to create salary cap room is to redo existing contracts of players, or release them. Who might be candidates for this cold business decision?
Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to make $11.9 million with a salary cap charge of $13.67 million in the last year of his contract. In a similar situation a year ago, Vernon agreed to a paycut in order to stay with the team.
Tight end David Njoku.
Despite adding Hooper and Harrison Bryant last year, the Browns picked up Njoku’s option for 2021 at a non-guaranteed salary of $6.013 million. After realizing he was No. 3 on the tight end depth chart, Njoku changed agents, requested a trade, rescinded it, then made it known a second time he wouldn’t mind moving on.
Receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
According to Spotrac.com, Beckham ranks seventh in the NFL among receivers in salary cap charge ($15.75 million) and Landry is 10th ($14.75 million). That combined charge of $30.5 million for a pair of receiver teammates ranks second in the league to the $31.38 million of Los Angeles Chargers receivers Keenan Allen ($15.7 million) and Mike Williams ($15.68 million). Redoing the contracts of Beckham and Landry would lower their numbers.