Linebacker: Preston Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Contract: Three years, $16.4 million with $2.3 million guaranteed
Preston Brown left the Buffalo Bills after the 2017 season and was given just a one-year, $4 million contract in free agency. This was a shocker as he was the co-leader in tackles that season in the NFL.
He played just seven games in 2018 due to a knee injury but he still showed enough to earn a contract extension. However, he’s still making just over $5 million per season which is a steal.
Linebacker: Adarius Taylor, Cleveland Browns
Contract: Two years, $5 million with $1 million guaranteed
Adarius Taylor was a team captain for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018 and had a career year with 60 tackles and an interception. They didn’t retain his services though and he now heads to the Cleveland Browns where he will be in the mix for a starting job despite making just $2.5 million per season.
Linebacker: Zach Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Contract: One year, $3 million
It’s hard to figure out what’s up with Zach Brown because no one wants to pay him long-term. After four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, the former second-round pick landed just a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2016. He then went out and racked up a career-high 149 tackles.
That led to him signing a three-year deal with the Washington Redskins, but they released him after just two seasons despite him being productive. He then took a while to find a new home, which ended up being with the Philadelphia Eagles. Don’t be surprised when he goes for another 100 tackles, because all he does is find the football.