Former Alabama star receives career-altering news on the eve of NFL free agency
Free agency deals are often a big of fool's gold, and former Alabama star Dalvin Tomlinson learned that the hard way this week. After two years with the Cleveland Browns on a four-year, $57 million deal with $25 million guaranteed, Tomlinson was informed he'd be released with a June 1 distinction. The run-stopping nose tackle […]
Free agency deals are often a big of fool's gold, and former Alabama star Dalvin Tomlinson learned that the hard way this week. After two years with the Cleveland Browns on a four-year, $57 million deal with $25 million guaranteed, Tomlinson was informed he'd be released with a June 1 distinction.
The run-stopping nose tackle hits the open market when NFL free agency begins officially on Wednesday afternoon. The 31-year-old will look for his fourth NFL team since entering the league in 2017.
Previous stints with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and now the Browns have been successful voyages for the man in the middle of Nick Saban's defenses from 2013 through 2016. He was part of the 2015 National Championship team and was taken in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
With 122 tackles and four sacks in college, Tomlinson was not expected to be a pass-rushing star at the next level. His role has flipped throughout his NFL career, which is why his tackles have declined since his first few years, but his sacks have increased.
He has 342 tackles and 19 sacks over his eight-year NFL career.
The veteran defensive tackle market is always deep, and the 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with trench talent. Tomlinson may be sitting on the market for a while until he gets an enticing offer. He's still a good player but not the star he was several years ago.
