The first overall pick in the 2014 draft has become a journeyman in recent years. Is there a team that plans to sign Jadeveon Clowney this offseason?
You could certainly make the case that he became the first overall pick in 2014 thanks to a crushing tackle he administered on a Michigan player in the Outback Bowl during his next-to-last season at South Carolina.
Regardless of the reasoning, the Houston Texans opted to use the top selection in the NFL draft on defensive end Jadeveon Clowney nine years ago. There have been some personal accolades for the talented performer along the way. However, it always seems to be one step forward and two steps back for the former Gamecock.
This offseason, after two years in Cleveland, the Browns parted ways with a player that seemed to have a lot more on his mind than just playing football during what proved to be his final few days with the club (via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com).
A three-time Pro Bowler during his final three seasons in Houston, Clowney was given the “franchise” tag but the Texans wound up trading him to Seattle. He was one-and-done with the Seahawks and joined the Tennessee Titans via a one-year deal in 2020. Then it was off to Cleveland where he spent the past two seasons.
The career resume is not a total disaster, at least not statistically. However, it is somewhat underwhelming when you consider the talent. Availability has been an issue. The 30-year-old performer has played an entire season just once in a total of nine years. Some feel his sack total should be higher (43.0) but to be fair, Clowney doesn’t receive his due for his play against the run. What also goes under the radar is his penchant for the big play.
He only played in four games as a rookie. Over the past eight seasons, he’s returned an interception for a score and recovered eight fumbles, three of those taken back for touchdowns. He has knocked down 23 passes and forced 13 fumbles.
The Browns are coming off a disappointing 7-10 showing and don’t have a draft pick in the first two rounds. The club addressed a lot of its defensive needs in free agency. Common sense says Jadeveon Clowney can still create problems for opposing offenses. However, staying in one place has been a bigger problem for this player too often as of late.