Major outlet names player the Cleveland Browns are likely to cut to save money on, and he was a free agent signing a year ago
The Browns have to get creative this offseason, and that’ll include moving on from a lot of its current roster.
The Cleveland Browns have a crucial offseason ahead for the future of the franchise. After going 5-12 in 2025, the Browns brought in Todd Monken to replace Kevin Stefanski as head coach.
Monken coming in was just one part of the puzzle. The most important thing is the roster makeup and where Cleveland has to improve. At this time, the Browns only have about $3.2 million in cap space. But that’s going to change and the Browns will have cash to spend in free agency as they see fit.
Former free agent signing tabbed as cut candidate for the Browns
Cleveland has multiple restructures ahead to free up cap space, including the contract of Deshaun Watson, but there are other avenues they can take advantage of. The Athletic has named Browns OT Cornelius Lucas as a potential cut candidate, and I agree with the idea of Cleveland parting ways there. The Browns can save $1.83 million in cap savings by parting ways with Lucas pre-June 1.
Lucas was signed to a two-year, $10 million deal last offseason. In his 12th NFL season, Lucas started five of the 10 games he played in for Cleveland. The Browns had offensive line struggles across the board last season, ignoring at both tackle spots. Lucas was signed as insurance to be able to step into either tackle spot.
Pro Football Focus gave Lucas a 36.9 pass blocking grade and 42.7 overall grade for the 2025 season. Lucas had three sacks allowed, four penalties, and 29 pressures in 194 pass blocking snaps.
Cleveland operated with a mix of Dawand Jones, Jack Conklin, KT Leveston, and Lucas as the offensive tackles for most of the season. Cleveland is set to get a lot younger on the offense in 2026 and GM Andrew Berry has already come out and said it. It only makes sense for the offensive line to be the focus of those efforts, they were the oldest portion group on the team in 2025.
Expect the Browns to target both free agents and the draft to try to fix their offensive line. Don’t be surprised if Lucas is not part of those plans for Monken’s first season in 2026.
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