Grading the signing: Cleveland Browns are on the board again with a key free agent signing that can’t be overlooked
The Browns have made another key signing in free agency, and this time it is for the defense.
The Cleveland Browns have been heavily invested in being a better team in the trenches so far in free agency.
Cleveland’s additions have come mostly on the offensive line, where they’ve added three new starters. But the latest signing for the Browns was adding a former defensive line starter from the San Francisco 49ers.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafalo, the Browns agreed to a one-year deal with former 49ers DT Kalia Davis. Davis started all 17 games on the interior for San Francisco last season.
Grading the Browns’ latest free agency signing
With Shelby Harris being a free agent, the writing is now on the wall for him not to return to the Browns. Cleveland gets younger on the defensive line with Davis now a backup, is just 27 years old and he’ll be entering his fourth NFL season in 2026.
Cleveland has Maliek Collins and Mason Graham back as its two starting defensive tackles, but Collins will be working his way back from a serious quad injury. Davis will figure into the backup rotation along with Mike Hall Jr. and Adin Huntington.
Davis is a run-stopper first, with some ability to push toward the passer. The UCF product had 28 tackles and a half sack in 17 starts for San Francisco. Notably, the 6-foot-2, 310-pound defensive lineman batted down three passes, something Harris has been able to give the Browns along the defensive line.
There is a bit of familiarity here with why this signing probably happened. Davis was coached in San Francisco by Robert Saleh, now the Tennessee Titans’ head coach. Browns defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg coached under Saleh and their defenses do similar things. Davis is coming into a system he has some knowledge of, and it’s likely why the Browns were interested.
Davis didn’t pop as a starter for the 49ers last season when he played 492 snaps, or 42 percent of the defensive plays. Stepping in as a backup for the Browns with a better defensive line and defense as a whole should be a benefit for Davis. It’s a cheap deal for a player who still may have some unlocked potential.
Final grade: B
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