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Browns sign CB Tramon Williams

Adam Schefter reported that Tramon Williams was in Cleveland yesterday. Today he signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Tramon Williams breaks up a pass
Tramon Williams breaks up a pass
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Happy birthday and welcome to Cleveland, Tramon!

This is the first free agent signing this offseason of a player not cut by his former team. There goes a compensatory pick. Personally, I'd rather have Tramon Williams.

Williams just turned 32 today. Last year he graded out at +1.6 according to Pro Football Focus. 2015 will be his tenth season in the NFL. Below are his stats from the past three seasons (in which he started all 16 games each season) and his career totals:

G   GS  Tak  Sack  PD  INT
16  16   70  0.0   13   3
16  16   83  2.5   11   3
16  16   61  0.0   16   2
career: 464  4.5  115  28

Jeremy Fowler has the right idea here, Browns likely padded the deal with a big roster bonus for next offseason so they can cut bait and let him go if he has nothing left in the tank.

This remains to be seen. Based on raw numbers alone, Tramon Williams is making more per year than Buster Skrine got from the Jets. The details of the contract may show that this is really a 1-year deal for big money with no guarantees beyond 2015. Williams is not as quick and explosive of a player as Skrine, but he fares much better against bigger receivers, Skrine's Achilles' Heel.

Williams may serve as a starter this year opposite Haden while the younger guys at the position develop. It's also possible that Gilbert or Desir could win the job over him. Williams also has some experience in the slot, adding depth to that position as well. Either way, he adds stability to a cornerback group full of young talent but not without its question marks.