FILE - In this Sept. 18, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Browns center Cameron Erving (74) is looked at by medical personnel late in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, in Cleveland. Erving has been released from the hospital after sustaining a bruised lung. Erving left the field in the final minute of Sunday’s game against the Ravens complaining of cramps and discomfort in his chest and ribs. (AP Photo/David Richard, File)
Even though the 2024 NFL Draft and NFL free agency are still more than six weeks away and one month away, respectively, Andrew Berry has undoubtedly already started organising the Cleveland Browns roster. Every year, you will inevitably lose a few players who were integral members of the squad; that’s simply part of the game.
The good news for the Browns this offseason is that only two positions—defensive end and defensive tackle—will be significantly impacted, albeit several well-known players may be leaving. The most well-known players are Za’Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, Maurice Hurst, Anthony Walker, Jacob Phillips, and Kareem Hunt, but players who excel on special teams, such as Mike Ford and Jordan Kunaszyk, are also free to consider other offers.
Even though it will be sad to see some of these guys leave Cleveland, I won’t be too disappointed when these four players walk on.
Normally, I wouldn’t combine two players in this manner, but in this case, it felt right. Jakeem Grant was brought in for the rematch, and Marquise Goodwin was viewed as a deep danger. Although each of these contracts appeared to be extremely low-risk and high-reward at the time, none of them was even close to working out.
Both have injury histories, which makes the original singing of them even more upsetting. Both had with injuries last year, which reduced the sample size. I adore and completely agree with Berry’s approach for the most part, however he is quite hopeful about individuals who are constantly hurting suddenly ceasing to be hurt.
I’ll be relieved to see Goodwin and Grant off the injury report next season, but there will be plenty of veterans who can try to replace the same position.
