Cleveland native Justin Hardee is the 13th new veteran signed by the Browns in the transaction season. He was a two-time special teams captain with the Jets. (USA Today)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
(Second in a series.)
Justin Hardee, Cleveland native and Glenville HS product, was signed by the Browns on Tuesday.
The eight-year NFL veteran is a cornerback by trade but has been mostly a consistent core player on special teams with the Saints and Jets. He was a special teams captain the past two seasons with the Jets and was their best tackler on kickoffs and punts.
Hardee is the 13th new veteran player added by the Browns in the transaction season. They also re-signed seven of their own free agents.
On Monday, we looked at how the Browns’ offseason moves compared with their division rivals. In this second part of a three-part series, we look at the activities of the Browns’ 2024 opponents in Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys
Key players added: LB Eric Kendricks,
Re-signed: DT Carl Davis, CB Jourdan Lewis, CB C.J. Goodwin,
Key players lost: RB Tony Franklin, OT Tyron Smith, WR Michael Gallup, LB Leighton Vander Esch, C Tyler Biadasz.
Seven draft picks: Nos. 24, 56, 87, 174, 216, 233, 244.
Analysis: Despite owner Jerry Jones saying the Cowboys are “all in” to make a Super Bowl run in 2024, they suffered more losses than gains and seem paralyzed by the dilemma of investing more money into QB Dak Prescott or moving on from him. It could be a lame-duck year for a lot of people in Big D.
Kansas City Chiefs
Key players added: WR Marquise Brown, TE Irv Smith.
Re-signed: DT Chris Jones, LB Drue Tranquill, S Deon Bush, DT Mike Pennel.
Key players lost: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, CB L’Jarius Sneed.
Seven draft picks: Nos. 32, 64, 95, 131, 159, 173, 221.
Analysis: Re-signing Jones was the Chiefs’ top priority and it came at the expense of losing Sneed, who was terrific in Kansas City’s run to a second consecutive Super Bowl title. As long as QB Patrick Mahomes, TE Travis Kelce and Jones are healthy, the Chiefs are the team to beat in the NFL.
Miami Dolphins
Key players added: TE Jonnu Smith, LB Anthony Walker, LB Jordyn Brooks, C Aaron Brewer, DE Shaquil Barrett, S Jordan Poyer, CB Kendall Fuller,
Re-signed: S Elijah Campbell, P Jake Bailey, WR Braxton Berrios,
Key players lost: DT Christian Wilkins, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, CB Keion Crossen, LB Jerome Baker, CB Xavien Howard, OG Isaiah Wynn.
Six draft picks: Nos. 21, 55, 158, 184, 198, 241.
Analysis: The Dolphins have burned through QB Tua Tagovailoa’s rookie contract without winning a playoff game. Now that it’s time to pay him on a second contract, things will get even tougher for them.
Los Angeles Chargers
Key players added: RB Gus Edwards, TE Will Dissly, TE Hayden Hurst, DT Poona Ford, LB Denzel Perryman, C Bradley Bozeman.
Re-signed: S Alohi Gilman, QB Easton Stick
Key players lost: RB Austin Ekeler, LB Eric Kendricks, OT Andrew Trainer, WR Mike Williams, WR Keenan Allen.
Nine draft picks: Nos. 5, 37, 69, 105, 110, 140, 181, 225, 253.
Analysis: The Chargers will look a lot different under new coach Jim Harbaugh. Think stronger running game and a tougher mindset. QB Justin Herbert will be the beneficiary of the addition of Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
New York Giants
Key players added: OG Jon Runyan, RB Devin Singletary, DE Brian Burns (trade), OT Jermaine Eluemunor, QB Drew Lock, S Jalen Mills, WR Isaiah McKenzie, TE Jack Stoll,
Re-signed: WR Gunner Olszewski, LB Carter Coughlin
Key players lost: RB Saquon Barkley, S Xavier McKinney, OG Mark Glowinski.
Six draft picks: Nos. 6, 47, 70, 107, 166, 183.
Analysis: Depending on when this game is scheduled, the Browns could see Daniel Jones at quarterback, or Lock, or a rookie taken with the sixth overall pick. One thing for certain is Burns added to Kayvon Thibodeaux gives the Giants a formidable pass rush duo.
(Next: Browns 2024 road opponents.)