#HeyTony: How are the Browns doing in free agency?

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

Hey Tony: Seems like the Browns dropped the ball this year in free agency. [John] Johnson was a good pick up but was expecting more from the front office, especially on defense, what happened?

-- Bob, Meadville, PA

Hey Bob: Your expectations may have been raised unrealistically by reports of the Browns showing interest in just about every free agent available. In truth, their salary cap room of $24.36 million prior to free agency limited them to one major signing and they prioritized it on solidifying the safety position with Johnson. Adding Takk McKinley at defensive end was a low-risk, high-reward purchase. If they can unlock his potential, he could be the complement to Myles Garrett. They also gave a one-year tender to restricted free agent KhaDarel Hodge, re-signed linebacker Malcolm Smith and then re-signed receiver Rashard Higgins. There’s still work to be done, but I think they are navigating the second year of the Andrew Berry era quite nicely.

Hey Tony: [Rashard] Higgins coming back means what for Donovan Peoples-Jones next year?

-- Jean, Canton, OH

Hey Jean: Peoples-Jones has a different skillset than Higgins and Hodge, and nothing will change that. He is a big-body, deep threat with exceptional ball skills. I think the second season of the Kevin Stefanski offense will broaden the opportunities for all the receivers, tight ends and backs.

Hey Tony: Aren’t Browns taking a big risk counting on Greedy Williams? Letting [Terrance] Mitchell walk is shocking. Only durable DB, played 99% of the D snaps in ‘20. Might even be better than Greedy. What has Greedy actually ever produced? Odds high Greedy and [Denzel] Ward miss games.

-- Bob, New York, NY

Hey Bob: I’m not sure the Browns are ‘counting on’ Williams. I think they want him back on the field and will see where his game is at that time. Letting Mitchell leave means he will be replaced by somebody else. I’d love to see the Browns sign an experienced cornerback like Casey Hayward or Malcolm Butler. And then they will draft one high and at least another later.

Hey Tony: What happened with Kevin Johnson? There was a lot of buzz last year on picking him up to cover the slot and we haven't resigned him yet and have no better options still. Will we bring him back or are there better options for slot corners?

-- Joe, Austin, TX

Hey Joe: Johnson’s freak injury in training camp set him back and I don’t think he ever made up for lost time. I think the Browns will try to find a more dependable replacement to cover the slot receiver.

Hey Tony: Why aren’t the Browns restructuring any contracts to create more room for free agent signings?

-- Josh, Galena, OH

Hey Josh: I’m a little surprised they haven’t reached out to a couple players to restructure, but it can still be done. I asked Andrew Berry if he viewed salary restructuring as an effective means of creating salary cap space or a ‘last resort’ of doing business. He answered, “I guess it really depends on the situation because I think really any change in contract or any restructuring contract, it can take a number of different forms, which I obviously will not go into the details of on this call. Without attempting to sound too general, it really is on a case-by-case basis.”

Hey Tony: Any rumblings about their first-round selection? Position or guys that they're likely to target? Or best talent available?

-- Remzi, Santa Barbara, CA

Hey Remzi: Safe bet is a defensive player, probably the highest-ranked player at defensive end, linebacker and cornerback.

Hey Tony: Can you explain how restructuring a contract is helpful to a player? It seems like the only winner during this process is the team since they can lower their salary cap hit. If there is no benefit to the player then why do this?

-- Eric, Tarpon Springs, FL

Hey Eric: A true restructuring is not a pay cut. It merely converts a portion of base salary to a signing bonus. The player actually gets his scheduled money sooner. This helps the team reduce the player’s salary cap number in the present year because the signing bonus is then pro-rated over the remainder of the player’s contract. But it increases the player’s salary cap number in subsequent years and increases the potential of ‘dead money’ on the cap if the player is released or traded.

Hey Tony: Why haven't the Browns signed Patrick Peterson?

-- Mantis, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica

Hey Mantis: Congrats. You are the first respondent I’ve ever had from Antarctica. In all honesty, that’s why I included your question. Peterson was signed by the Vikings on Wednesday night to a one-year deal for $10 million. Too high a number for the Browns.

Hey Tony: With the salary cap expected to balloon in two years, why is AB or veterans not restructuring contracts. Is this AB salary cap philosophy or we do not feel the need to push salary further out with Baker, Chubb, and Denzel needing new deals?

-- Jeremy, Columbus, OH

Hey Jeremy: No doubt Berry wants to avoid adding commitments to later years because of the impending extensions to the players you cite.

Hey Tony: Will there be any outstanding LB’s available when we are called for the draft? Who will be good for us?

-- Bill, Erie, PA

Hey Bill: Tulsa’s Zaven Collins and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah are possibilities in the first round. I believe the Browns are more likely to wait for a later round to draft a linebacker.