The Hunt for Value in the Second Wave
Cleveland entered this cycle with limited cap flexibility, forced once again to navigate the heavy hit of Deshaun Watson’s contract. The front office already converted $44.7 million of Watson’s salary into a bonus to stay afloat, but the results on the field haven’t matched the price tag. With the “big fish” already signed to massive contracts elsewhere, Berry is looking for the middle-class talent that defines playoff depth.
The wide receiver room needs a spark for new head coach Todd Monken’s system. Jauan Jennings and Hollywood Brown remain available, offering different flavors of playmaking. Jennings brings the “dirty work” mentality the Browns lacked last year, while Brown offers the vertical speed to take the top off defenses. On the ground, Brian Robinson Jr. stands out as a potential hammer to pair with a returning, but healing, Quinshon Judkins.
Protection is the other glaring issue. The offensive line took a beating last season, and the current list of available blockers like Jonah Williams and Mekhi Becton offers high-upside gambles. Becton, recently released by the Chargers after a shaky 2025, represents exactly the type of high-pedigree “bargain” Berry loves to target.
“We know the reality of this league. Money talks early, but wins are built in the second week of March. We’re looking for guys who are hungry, guys who feel they have something to prove to the rest of the AFC North.”
— Andrew Berry, Cleveland Browns General Manager
The Quarterback Conundrum
The elephant in the room remains the signal-caller. The free-agent quarterback list is, to put it bluntly, grim. With no viable veterans left to push the room, the Browns are effectively locked into a room that has been described by local scouts as a “disaster.” Whether it’s a healthy Watson trying to reclaim his 2020 form or second-year man Shedeur Sanders getting thrown into the fire, the options are thin.
Berry has already added depth pieces like tight end Jack Stoll and defensive tackle Kalia Davis. These aren’t the moves that sell jerseys, but they are the ones that prevent a mid-November collapse when the injury report grows long. Expect a flurry of one-year deals over the next 48 hours as Cleveland tries to fill out the 53-man roster before the draft.
