Cleveland Browns: Grading big free agent additions so far

The Cleveland Browns were big spenders this offseason as they try to build on the momentum of a very successful 2020 season.

The Cleveland Browns were one of the stories of the 2020 season as they rode a strong running game and solid play from young quarterback Baker Mayfield to an 11-5 record and a nice playoff run. They even came within a few plays of beating the defending champs on the road but fell just short of an historic AFC Championship Game appearance.

Last offseason they focused on building up their offense and have focused on the other side of the ball this year with some massive additions on defense in free agency ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Let’s take a look at these moves and see if they can get the Browns over the hump in 2021 as we hand out grades for each of them to this point.

Malik Jackson, DT (Philadelphia Eagles)

Grade: B

The Browns addressed a hole in their interior defensive line left by the departed Larry Ogunjobi by bringing in Malik Jackson on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million. Jackson was a Pro Bowl caliber player in Jacksonville and Denver but struggled to make much of an impact in Philadelphia, playing just 16 games in two seasons.

Jackson is three years removed from a Pro Bowl season where he recorded 40 tackles, four forced fumbles, and eight sacks as a defensive tackle. He has 35 sacks and 99 QB hits in 73 career starts and still has some juice in the tank at 31 years old.

Ogunjobi is younger but it can be argued that Jackson at his best is an upgrade and will battle with Andrew Billings for a starting role. This is a solid depth signing that addresses a position of need and has plenty of upside if Jackson can come close to his level of play earlier in his career.