Browns 2025 Free Agency Predictions: Cleveland can be as aggressive as they see fit after fixing things with Myles Garrett
The legal tampering period begins at noon ET today around the NFL and the free agency frenzy is about to begin. Luckily for the Cleveland Browns, they have already checked a crucial box off and that happened yesterday when the relationship with Myles Garrett was mended. Cleveland handed him $123 million guaranteed and $40 million […]
The legal tampering period begins at noon ET today around the NFL and the free agency frenzy is about to begin.
Luckily for the Cleveland Browns, they have already checked a crucial box off and that happened yesterday when the relationship with Myles Garrett was mended. Cleveland handed him $123 million guaranteed and $40 million on average on a deal that will keep him with the team through 2030.
Cleveland has been traditionally pretty aggressive under GM Andrew Berry and that shouldn’t stop now. The Browns currently have $12.6 million in cap space after they restructured Deshaun Watson’s contract, but they can create a bunch more with other restructures. Cleveland has to do their best to put a winner around Garrett and free agency is a piece to that puzzle.
QB Joe Flacco
Cleveland needs to bring in a veteran quarterback in free agency or in the trade market. Flacco was solid in Cleveland during the 2023 season and probably should have been brought back in 2024. The veteran QB would have been the Browns’ best option last season and he provides them with a solid floor in 2025. Turnovers are a thing with Flacco, but he fits the Kevin Stefanski system well and is a fine bridge option that won’t cost much.
RB Nick Chubb
I expect the Browns to bring back Chubb following making things right with Garrett. I would assume that Garrett makes it a request for Chubb to be back in a Cleveland uniform. Two straight seasons of singing can’t injuries don’t allow you to have much trust in what Chubb will do, but that’s why it will be a one-year deal. If Chubb can get back to anywhere near his prior form, it is a big win for the Browns. Cleveland needs to draft their running back of the future but Chubb should be brought back as depth.
WR Darius Slayton
Elijah Moore is a free agent and the Browns’ top two wide receiver options are Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. Either in the draft or free agency, the Browns are going to add another wide receiver for their offense. Slayton gives the Browns a wideout that has been consistently productive as a secondary option and he would ideally be WR2 in Cleveland.
TE Jordan Akins
This one is pretty simple for the Browns. They’ll need tight end depth behind David Njoku and Akins has been with the team for the past two seasons. Akins was solid for the Browns last year with 390 yards and two touchdowns. Cleveland should give him another short deal and draft a tight end next month.
OT Dillon Radunz
This isn’t a flashy signing by any means at tackle and Radunz was not good in 2024 with the Titans. Cleveland’s approach at tackle could be to bring another player in to compete for the job with Dawand Jones. Jack Conklin is set to hold down one tackle spot and the other should be for Jones as long as he keeps it. Radunz can operate as a backup tackle in an ideal situation.
G Michael Dunn
Dunn has a ton of versatility and can play all five positions along the offensive line if you need him to. Over the last five seasons, Dunn has played in 53 games for the Browns in several positions. Quality depth is hard to find and Dunn is at least dependable. With all of the injuries the Browns have had the last couple of seasons, depth is key.
DE Za’Darius Smith
Another familiar face comes back to town after Smith was let go by the Detroit Lions over the weekend. Smith isn’t going to come at a heavy cost and it’ll likely be a one year deal. Smith is still a productive pass rusher who has proven to be impactful opposite of Garrett.
LB Isaiah Simmons
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s long-term outlook is a bit worrisome since there haven’t been a ton of updates there since he was lost to a neck injury against the Ravens last season. Hopefully, he can get back on the field to his Pro Bowl level, but the Browns need to add depth in the backer position. Simmons isn’t a full-time starter but can do some good things as an athletic linebacker that can get sideline to sideline. He will be available on a cheap deal and gives Jim Schwartz a toolsy player to work with.
S Xavier Woods
Cleveland took swings on John Johnson III and Juan Thornhill over the last handful of years and neither were long-term answers. Grant Delpit is a nice safety who can pretty much do it all, but the Browns need another starter to join him. Woods had his most productive season yet in 2024 with 119 tackles, three interceptions, and he played in all 17 games. Woods is going to have plenty of suitors but could end up a key piece in Cleveland.
