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Cleveland Browns Free Agency Live Blog (Day 5) - Rumors, Signings, and More

NFL free agency moves may be slowing down a bit, but there are still big moves to be made for the Browns

NFL: NOV 27 Buccaneers at Browns Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We are now on Day 5 of NFL Free Agency for the Cleveland Browns, and also the third day of the new league year. Lower-level moves are still being made, as seen on Thursday when Cleveland added a couple more depth players. To see how these moves will impact Super Bowl odds, check out DraftKings Sportsbook.

Follow the live blog below for news and rumors regarding the Browns and free agency throughout the day! You can catch up on yesterday’s live blog here.

2023 Browns Free Agency Live Blog - Day 5


4:50 PM: The direction it seemed headed all day, TE Jordan Akins has signed with the Browns according to his agent. Initial contract details and a couple of highlights from Deshaun Watson to Akins in Houston are included in the write-up.


2:25 PM: As Akins looks like he might be on his way toward signing with the Browns, TE Donald Parham is returning to his former team:


2:05 PM: It looks like Akins visit with the team is going really well and should lead to a signing soon:


12:09 PM: A shifty, slot receiver with return ability, Isaiah McKenzie could be of interest to Cleveland depending on if they think Jakeem Grant can play on offense or not and, of course, price. McKenzie had 42 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns last year as a tertiary or lower option in Buffalo’s offense:


12:08 PM: Another tight end option now on the market but one that may be beyond his “good by date” turning 32 this year. Cameron Brate had just 20 catches for 174 yards last season in 11 games with Tom Brady:


11:40 AM: We noted the tight end market could open up soon, now we have Jordan Akins reportedly visiting Berea. Akins played with Deshaun Watson in Houston:


11:30 AM: Former Browns LB, who returned at the end of last season, Tae Davis is signing with Atlanta. A great special teams player:


10:45 AM: The Browns are earning positive marks for signing defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.


10:38 AM: Cincinnati made a splash on the offensive line but now has a disgruntled player. With La’El Collins recovering from a knee injury that could keep him out to start the season, did the Bengals get better to get worse?


10:30: TE Mike Gesicki is signing a one-year deal with New England. Perhaps this opens up a stagnant tight end market with players like Dalton Schultz at the top and other, like Foster Moreau and Donal Parham, out there as well.


8:45 AM: With the first wave of free agency in the books, we’ve promised you a weekly Browns mock draft and we will keep our promise. A lot of talent added that can help now and in the future, doubling up on some of the positions already addressed in free agency and some that have not, yet, been.


7:15 AM: Per Joel Corry of CBS Sports, a lot of Browns players have contract-related things that kick in today. That includes:

  • $10 million of edge rusher Myles Garrett’s $17 million 2023 base salary is already fully guaranteed. The last $7 million is completely secure.
  • $1.024 million of cornerback Denzel Ward’s $15.324 million 2024 base salary, which was guaranteed for injury at signing, is already fully guaranteed. The remaining $14.3 million becomes fully guaranteed.
  • Offensive tackle Jack Conklin’s injury-guaranteed $12.15 million 2023 base salary is fully guaranteed. His injury-guaranteed $12.85 million 2024 base salary is fully guaranteed.
  • Tight end David Njoku’s $12.5 million injury-guaranteed 2023 base salary, of which $4.5 million was fully guaranteed at signing, becomes fully guaranteed. The $3 million of his $13 million 2024 base salary that was guaranteed for injury is completely secure.

Conklin and Njoku’s 2023 base salaries reduce to $1.165 million and $4.5 million, respectively, with $10.985 million and $8 million payments by the 15th day of the league year (March 29) to pick up options for dummy 2027 contract years.


7:00 AM: Good morning again, Browns fans, and Happy St. Patrick's Day! In case you missed it, late last night, CB Greedy Williams was reportedly signing a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The former second-round pick never panned out, but Cleveland still has a pair of former first-round corners as their starters.