Cleveland Browns: 3 Bargains to target in 2019 NFL free agency
3. CB Captain Munnerlyn (Released by Carolina Panthers)
Last April, Browns general manager John Dorsey surprised many by using the fourth overall pick in the draft on Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward. The general consensus was that the team would select North Carolina State pass rusher Bradley Chubb with that choice.
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Instead, Cleveland looked to bolster its secondary and the former Buckeye responded with 53 tackles, three interceptions, a team-best 11 passes defensed and a pair of fumble recoveries. It was an offseason in which the team added a number of players to the secondary either via trade or free agency.
The club acquired former Green Bay Packers’ first-round pick Damarious Randall and signed veterans such as Terrance Mitchell, T.J. Carrie and E.J. Gaines. But it’s also worth noting that both of the Gaines are scheduled to hit free agency this week.
New Browns defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is more than familiar with cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who was recently cut loose by the Carolina Panthers. He comes off a season in which he finished with 47 tackles, one interception, two sacks and nine passes defensed. The 10-year pro, who also spent three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-16, has 21 total takeaways and has returned five of his 12 interceptions for scores.