Dawgs By Nature - All PostsA Cleveland Browns bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48679/dawgsbynature-fave.png2024-03-28T17:44:00-04:00http://www.dawgsbynature.com/rss/current/2024-03-28T17:44:00-04:002024-03-28T17:44:00-04:00Browns roster: Another extension coming soon?
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<img alt="NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/92KF9Ag6pEu7Kk8cFsjm_f0o8tg=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73240119/usa_today_22284696.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Amari Cooper was acquired as a salary dump, now could see an extension</p> <p id="sAP0Y4">When the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> acquired WR <strong>Amari Cooper</strong> from the Dallas Cowboys, Cooper was seen as a salary dump of sorts. At one point, Dallas was reportedly thinking about cutting the talented receiver but the Browns, <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/3/11/22973469/cleveland-browns-reportedly-real-players-for-amari-cooper">along with other teams</a>, shared their interest in making a deal for him.</p>
<p id="vdfbd1"><a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/3/12/22974476/cleveland-browns-agree-to-trade-for-wr-amari-cooper">Cleveland acquired Cooper</a> for the cost of a fifth-round pick (and sixth-round pick swap) in the spring of 2022. Since then, the Cowboys <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2022/11/6/23443970/cowboys-amari-cooper-obj-beckham-browns">have struggled to replace Cooper</a> and <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2023/12/24/24014211/browns-amari-cooper-nfl-record-week-16-200-yards-houston-texans">he set a Browns record and tied an NFL record in 2023</a>.</p>
<p id="EkKNaE">With WR <strong>Calvin Ridley</strong> signing a four-year deal worth almost $97 million, a surprising comparison came when everyone found out that <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/16/24102887/nfl-free-agency-amari-cooper-calvin-ridley-age-contract-alabama-crimson-tide">Ridley and Cooper were the same age</a>, went to the same college and never played together there.</p>
<p id="in1Lrz">Ridley’s deal could be the template for what Cooper is looking for in his next contract. The Browns top pass catcher is set for free agency at the end of this season <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2024/03/how-browns-gm-andrew-berry-feels-about-extending-amari-coopers-contract-as-he-heads-into-the-final-year-of-it.html">but GM Andrew Berry could be looking to change that</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="16sUgM">“Look, Coop’s a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a>-caliber receiver,” Berry said. “He’s played really well for us the past two years. He’s a strong presence in the locker room. We love him. So players like that, you want to make sure that you can retain as long as possible and we’ll work through all of that at the appropriate times.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="WMstYe">Berry noted that getting things done early, instead of late, is their philosophy with contract extensions but Cooper turns 30 before this season starts and would have over 8,500 snaps on his legs after a full 2024 season. A lot to take into account while the wide receiver market jumps:</p>
<blockquote><p id="47AJ5b">“Probably by Week 1 of the NFL season, the top of that market’s going to be north of $30 million. So as we think of the contract-management space, rather than be reactive to new market dynamics, we try to be proactive. Probably more importantly, when we think about an extension or a signing, we think of where is the market going to be on September 1 as opposed to March 1.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="5hgy9R">It is noted that Cooper's negotiations will take priority after the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a>. An extension this year could reduce Cooper’s $23 million cap hit in 2024 and, given the team’s contract structure, stay decently low in 2025 as well.</p>
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<p id="yeGLqp"><em><strong>Do you think the Browns should pay Amari Cooper “top of the market” type money before he hits free agency despite turning 31 years old next year?</strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24115010/browns-amari-cooper-contract-salary-capJared Mueller2024-03-28T11:49:45-04:002024-03-28T11:49:45-04:00New NFL kickoff rule makes one of Browns free-agent signings even better
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<figcaption>Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The signing of Nyheim Hines gains extra value with the new NFL Kickoff structure</p> <p id="oJeBxB">The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> signed running back <strong>Nyheim Hines</strong> early on in the free agency period, and his value as a kick returner has skyrocketed with the announcement of the NFL’s new kickoff structure.</p>
<p id="EshMW3">On Tuesday, the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2024/3/26/24112353/nfl-new-kickoff-rule-explained-xfl?_gl=1*johpl9*">league decided to adopt the XFL-style kickoff beginning in 2024</a> and it could totally change how teams view specific types of players. Kick returns will be less of a “wide open”, all-out scramble to find open space and more of a designed offensive football play.</p>
<p id="DJ5Lbs">Players who have experience as a running back will have more value going forward due to their natural ability to see the field in a particular way. Considering the close proximity between the front lines of both the kick and return units, the returners are essentially operating in more of a wide zone or stretch play on offense. Somebody like Nyheim Hines who’s already seen as a great kick and punt returner will bring even more value to Cleveland with this new development. </p>
<p id="NwbPed">Needless to say, Hines is pretty excited about the change as well:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">THIS NEW KICKOFF RULE </p>— Nyheim Hines (@TheNyNy7) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNyNy7/status/1772699892160344328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="NqQRAs">Hines’ ability to read and react to his blockers will have more of an effect on the outcome of kick returns as opposed to somebody who relies on pure speed or having the ability to make people “miss” in the open field.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nyheim Hines was MADE for this type of kickoff format. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/RHFkbre5Ke">pic.twitter.com/RHFkbre5Ke</a></p>— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachWilson66/status/1773040134859948334?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="bD3B2U">Eric Galko, who was a part of the XFL’s design, provided even more insight:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">1. Overall Play Designs: The kickoff play isn’t going to be run like a previous kickoff. They'll be less value on collisions, quickness and explosiveness.<br><br>Instead, it’ll likely be more closely analogous to a spaced out run play. You might even see Special Teams coaches develop… <a href="https://t.co/fNw4WSRZcC">pic.twitter.com/fNw4WSRZcC</a></p>— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricGalko/status/1772628370943017319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="4QTzT7">Depending on how the NFL begins to view the value of kick returners over the next couple of seasons, players like Hines could end up costing teams quite a bit more than what Cleveland signed him for. </p>
<p id="l4HYog">Whether it's as a pass-catcher out of the backfield or being an explosive playmaker on special teams, the Browns could be in for a big season from Nyheim Hines in 2024.</p>
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<p id="HXvvGD"><em><strong>How do you feel about the NFL’s new kickoff format? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.</strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24113483/cleveland-browns-free-agency-new-kickoff-rules-nyheim-hinesMatt_Wilson2024-03-28T09:44:59-04:002024-03-28T09:44:59-04:00NFL draft: Browns to host late-round QB prospect
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<img alt="NFL Combine" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qgWJVrq413d5S0KMZMPMZ60Oj2A=/0x0:5663x3775/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238624/2055671496.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Joe Milton is a big armed, raw prospect</p> <p id="2TqiXK">Everyone knows that the NFL is all about the quarterback and the head coach. The general manager and offensive coordinator come in right after that long with a great pass rusher or three.</p>
<p id="Q8lsxF">After starting five quarterbacks during the 2023 NFL playoff run, the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have made sure that they have options going into the 2024 season at that most important position:</p>
<aside id="iGv48H"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"New NFL rule could impact Browns QB plan","url":"https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/26/24112431/new-nfl-rule-browns-qb-practice-squad-elevation-dtr-tyler-huntley"}]}'></div></aside><ul>
<li id="JOnmHK">Deshaun Watson is set to start after returning from shoulder surgery last year</li>
<li id="YTF2Vh">Jameis Winston is set to be the primary backup after signing a one-year deal</li>
<li id="Atf8lk">Dorian Thompson-Robinson returns for his second season after being a fifth-round pick in 2023</li>
<li id="7TQzd4">Tyler Huntley was added on a one-year deal</li>
</ul>
<p id="n02gka">With four deep at the quarterback position, it is easy to assume the Browns are done putting resources into the position. That assumption could be wrong as <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a> prospect <strong>Joe Milton, </strong>at his Pro Day, told ESPN that he will be meeting with Cleveland next week:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milton mentioned to us on the telecast following Pro Day today that he’s scheduled to meet with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Browns?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Browns</a> early next week. <a href="https://t.co/ruz6zJAT1C">https://t.co/ruz6zJAT1C</a></p>— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jordan_Reid/status/1773067715688706232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="6FhCfy">The 6’5” Milton played six seasons in college but really got a chance to play in his final four. He split his time equally between the <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a> and the <a href="https://www.rockytoptalk.com">Tennessee Volunteers</a>. Last year, with Tennessee, Milton completed 65% of his passes for 2,813 yards, 20 TDs and five INTs.</p>
<p id="xWMmpR">Milton also rushed for almost 300 yards.</p>
<p id="pWKWlT">The 24-year-old quarterback is the 179th-ranked player on the <a href="https://www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com/players/2024/joe-milton">Consensus Big Board</a> and is projected as a sixth-round selection at this point.</p>
<p id="rlpbQC">The Browns could simply be doing their homework on a player that they could face in the future but the continued attention on the position does bring up questions about Thompson-Robinson's place with the team moving forward. Those questions become louder if another draft pick is used on the position.</p>
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<p id="SNANpm"><em><strong>What do you make of the Browns bringing in Milton for a visit? </strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24114494/nfl-draft-browns-joe-milton-dtr-jameis-winston-tyler-huntleyJared Mueller2024-03-28T05:30:00-04:002024-03-28T05:30:00-04:00Daily Dawg Chow 3/28: What happened at the NFL owners’ meetings?
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<img alt="NFL: Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Zif6i0Xg_0h1IigrgxVIAGzETgw=/0x149:3340x2376/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73238218/usa_today_6761076.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>More of the latest Browns news and notes from around the web in today’s dose of the Daily Dawg Chow.</p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p id="6GtXmA">The latest <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> coverage from <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Dawgs By Nature</a>:</p>
<ul>
<li id="CwutdR">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/24/24110498/2024-nfl-draft-sign-up-for-the-dbn-community-mock-draft">2024 DBN Community Mock Draft Sign-Ups</a> (Chris Pokorny) We are close to kicking off our 14th annual DBN Community Mock Draft!</li>
<li id="QcUKfn">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24112762/jerry-jeudy-trade-browns-grade-analysis">Analyzing the Jerry Jeudy trade to the Browns: Our experts debate</a> (Barry Shuck and Ezweav) Was this trade a stroke of genius, or just the addition of another sub-par player?</li>
<li id="vvgZCE">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24114165/breakdown-of-rb-nyheim-hines-and-rb-donta-foreman-contracts-with-the-browns">Breakdown of RB Nyheim Hines and RB D’Onta Foreman contracts with the Browns</a> (Chris Pokorny) What has Cleveland committed to their two new running backs?</li>
<li id="GYO5gl">
<a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24113779/breakdown-of-qb-jameis-winstons-contract-with-the-browns">Breakdown of QB Jameis Winston’s contract with the Browns</a> (Chris Pokorny) Did the Browns’ new backup quarterback get $4 million or $8.7 million?</li>
</ul>
<p id="MqpVgz">More <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> news:</p>
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<li id="ZOXagS">
<a href="https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/video/recapping-the-nfl-owners-meeting-cleveland-browns-daily">Recapping the NFL Owners Meeting</a> (clevelandbrowns.com) “It’s a “First Friday” edition of Cleveland Browns Daily. Z and Gibbay are joined by Browns staff writer Kelsey Russo to discuss the recent NFL Owners Meeting and free agency moves. The guys also dive into the changing kickoff rule and talk AFC power rankings through the first wave of free agency.”</li>
<li id="4TBo5g">
<a href="https://247sports.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/LongFormArticle/breaking-down-the-cleveland-browns-contracts-for-rodney-mcleod-cade-york-229463160">Breaking Down The Cleveland Browns Contracts For Rodney McLeod & Cade York</a> (OBR) “Looking at the value, terms and details of Rodney McLeod & Cade York’s contracts with the Cleveland Browns.”</li>
<li id="XC1EqH">
<a href="https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/browns/2024/03/28/nick-chubb-injury-contract-age-cleveland-browns-gm-andrew-berry-nfl/73057517007/">Browns being conservative with Nick Chubb’s return from injury</a> (Akron Beacon Journal) “The Browns remain committed to having Nick Chubb back on the field. However, they also acknowledge a conservative approach to handling the situation.”</li>
<li id="N3unya">
<a href="https://fox8.com/sports/how-fans-are-reacting-to-potential-browns-stadium-move/">How fans are reacting to potential Browns stadium move</a> (Fox 8) “The team’s owners, Jimmy and Dee Haslam say they are considering both options, keeping the stadium here or moving it to the suburbs, and neither option is above the other.”</li>
<li id="xEyuNI">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny84zo27jFk">Should Browns fans be worried about the new look Steelers</a> (Youtube) Quincy Carrier analyzes Pittsburgh’s offseason and compares them to us</li>
</ul>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/28/24114400/daily-dawg-chow-3-29-what-happened-at-the-nfl-owners-meetingsEzweav2024-03-27T23:35:06-04:002024-03-27T23:35:06-04:00Breakdown of RB Nyheim Hines and RB D’Onta Foreman contracts with the Browns
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<img alt="Indianapolis Colts v Cleveland Browns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YJFkb4JTGQe2uDea1aTn2QGerHs=/0x0:4680x3120/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73237859/1279711114.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>What has Cleveland committed to their two new running backs?</p> <p id="JyJAsL">The Cleveland Browns added two running backs in free agency with the signing of <strong>Nyheim Hines</strong> and <strong>D’Onta Foreman</strong>. That complements <strong>Nick Chubb</strong> and <strong>Jerome Ford</strong>, but appears to remove <strong>Kareem Hunt</strong> from the equation.</p>
<p id="znNOqp">Time will tell what happens with Chubb’s contract. While he is rehabbing, it makes sense for Cleveland to try to extend his deal, while trying to lower the cap hit of $15.8 million that he accounts for in 2024. With that in mind, Hines and Foreman combined account for around $3 million in cap hits on their one-year deals. Let’s take a look at them:</p>
<div id="bq8nJ5"><div data-anthem-component="table:12291429"></div></div>
<ul>
<li id="zqcf9R">Hines signed a one-year deal worth $1.995 million.</li>
<li id="DaF94t">His base salary is $1.145 million, and $850,000 of that is fully guaranteed. When you combine that with his $500,000 signing bonus, he has $1.35 million in guaranteed money. </li>
<li id="aIEFyR">Hines has a $350,000 roster bonus. According to Spotrac, he’ll earn that if he makes the Browns’ 53-man roster.</li>
<li id="yeVc1R">ESPN’s <strong>Adam Schefter</strong> originally said that Hines signed a 1-year deal worth up to $3.5 million. That means there could be $1.505 million worth of incentives in Hines’ contract, but it’s not clear what those are.</li>
</ul>
<div id="lAYuYo"><div data-anthem-component="table:12291535"></div></div>
<ul>
<li id="Cp07w4">Hines signed a one-year deal worth $1.292 million.</li>
<li id="fd54av">His base salary is $1.125 million, with $167,500 of that being fully guaranteed. When you combine that with his $167,500 signing bonus, he has $335,000 in guaranteed money.</li>
<li id="xxeuqW">In previous years, we talked about the Veteran Salary Benefit. This allows teams to sign veteran players to one-year deals, but only have the cap hit be worth the amount of a minimum-salary player who has had 2 years in the NFL. That value is $985,000. If you take that, plus his signing bonus, you come up with Foreman’s cap hit in 2024.</li>
</ul>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24114165/breakdown-of-rb-nyheim-hines-and-rb-donta-foreman-contracts-with-the-brownsChris Pokorny2024-03-27T14:33:36-04:002024-03-27T14:33:36-04:00Breakdown of QB Jameis Winston’s contract with the Browns
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<img alt="Cleveland Browns v Tampa Bay Buccaneers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ssp9YznpyhthykRpRIvdyOlbPEM=/0x0:4294x2863/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73236887/1169851954.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Did the Browns’ new backup quarterback get $4 million or $8.7 million?</p> <p id="l3GvoQ">The dust is starting to settle from free agency, and we have a pretty clear picture on who the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> added during that period before turning their attention to the draft.</p>
<p id="L4J4lF">That also means that more contract details are available for players. I will be breaking down the contracts for the Browns’ key signings with individual articles, starting with QB <strong>Jameis Winston</strong>. When he was first signed, it was reported that his deal was worth up to $8.7 million for one year. That perceived value, coupled with the fact that QB <strong>Joe Flacco</strong> was not even reached out to, drew the ire of fans.</p>
<p id="HhnEOR">The truth is that the value of the contract is more affordable than originally thought. Realistically, it boils down to being a 1-year deal worth $4 million.</p>
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<ul>
<li id="zqcf9R">Winston’s contract is fully guaranteed. That consists of his 2024 base salary ($1.21 million) and signing bonus ($2.79 million), for a total of $4 million.</li>
<li id="oLaXRf">His signing bonus is spread out over five years, as four void years are in the contract. His contract will void at the start of the 2025 league year, which accelerates the signing bonus ($558,000 x 4 = $2.232 million) as a dead cap hit in the 2025 season. His cap hit for the 2024 season is $1.768 million.</li>
<li id="z6WtFK">What about the initial “up to $8.7 million” that was reported for Winston? It was a legitimate report, but $4.7 million of that are incentives. Typically, they are incentives that are unlikely to be earned, such as “Winston making the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-pro-bowl">Pro Bowl</a>.” If you <a href="https://twitter.com/boardroom/status/1437544618179108871">look through Winston’s contracts over the years</a>, he always has layers of incentives built in. We don’t know what exactly his incentive goals with the Browns are. The only clue that I’ve seen so far came from <a href="https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2024/03/jameis-winstons-actual-salary-with-the-browns-is-4-million-with-incentives-worth-up-to-87-million.html">this article by <strong>Mary Kay Cabot</strong></a> of the Plain Dealer, where she said, “If Winston starts a bunch of games and wins them, he can hit <em>some</em> of his $4.7 million in incentives.”</li>
<li id="6SrDBl">Disregarding incentives, the actual reality of Winston’s contract as far as cap hits go is here:</li>
</ul>
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https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24113779/breakdown-of-qb-jameis-winstons-contract-with-the-brownsChris Pokorny2024-03-27T08:01:48-04:002024-03-27T08:01:48-04:00Browns Free Agency Profile: RB D’Onta Foreman
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<img alt="Carolina Panthers v Chicago Bears" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-O6JdsJA8fMP9urfWjOPmN9iNZc=/0x0:6339x4226/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73235866/1787696905.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Foreman brings his punishing run style to Cleveland in 2024</p> <p id="p0y0vf">The <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> have <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/20/24106993/nfl-free-agency-browns-donta-foreman-nick-chubb">reportedly agreed to terms with veteran running back <strong>D’Onta Foreman</strong></a><strong> </strong>on a 1-year deal.</p>
<p id="3gbeWZ">Foreman was drafted by the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> in the 3rd round of the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/4/27/15372494/2017-nfl-draft-results-pick-by-pick">2017 NFL Draft</a> and has been a sufficient ball-carrier for multiple teams throughout his 6-year career so far. He’s a punishing, downhill runner that has excellent leg drive and contact balance.</p>
<p id="JlO3B7">The biggest subject throughout the summer months will undoubtedly be whether or not Nick Chubb can be healthy enough and ready to go early on in 2024. Though there’s a chance that he might be able to play within the first 4-5 weeks of the season, the team needed to improve their depth in the running back room in free agency.</p>
<p id="8TnTmQ">Both D’Onta Foreman and <strong>Nyheim Hines</strong> give Cleveland viable options that the team could lean on in the beginning of the season, and for multiple reasons. Foreman is a devastating runner with strength and power and Hines has been one of the better pass-catchers at the position over the past 5 seasons. </p>
<aside id="KyD5xd"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Browns Free Agency Profile: CB Tony Brown","url":"https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/25/24111300/cleveland-browns-free-agency-profile-tony-brown-mike-brown"}]}'></div></aside><p id="irbWL1">We will continue to profile Cleveland’s free-agent signings as we get deeper and deeper into the 2024 acquisition cycle.</p>
<h4 id="omsRnp"><strong>Name</strong></h4>
<p id="X9170I">D’Onta Foreman</p>
<h4 id="G60WVm"><strong>Position</strong></h4>
<p id="ZNqVHK">Running Back</p>
<h4 id="uP2vpz"><strong>Height/Weight</strong></h4>
<p id="Rg9p2y">6’0”, 235 pounds</p>
<h4 id="aeetGD"><strong>2023 Team</strong></h4>
<p id="20URYs"><a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> </p>
<p id="Mud73T"><strong>2023: </strong>9 games, 8 starts - 425 rushing yards, 3.9 avg., 4 touchdowns, 11 recs., 77 receiving yards, 1 touchdown</p>
<p id="GHbEO3"><strong>Career: </strong>52 games, 21 starts - 2326 rushing yards, 4.2 avg., 14 touchdowns, 34 recs., 342 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns</p>
<h4 id="LuI3m4">
<strong>PFF Grade:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1641755&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnfl%2Fplayers%2Fdonta-foreman%2F11844&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dawgsbynature.com%2F2024%2F3%2F27%2F24111360%2Fcleveland-browns-free-agency-profile-donta-foreman-nick-chubb-jerome-ford-nyheim-hines" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">74.0</a>
</h4>
<h4 id="1opPtR"><strong>2023 Contract</strong></h4>
<p id="ilP0X0">Final year of Bears deal, $2,000,000 cap hit</p>
<h4 id="XPOkWZ"><strong>Fit with Browns</strong></h4>
<p id="k0ubl2">Depending on the status of <strong>Nick Chubb</strong> heading into week 1, Foreman could end up being the guy that Kevin Stefanski and Ken Dorsey lean on over the first half of the season. He’s the type of big, physical runner that this offense needs on early downs.</p>
<h4 id="5jf2iq"><strong>Browns player signing could impact</strong></h4>
<p id="6yQtJK"><strong>Jerome Ford - </strong>As of right now, it’s looking like Nick Chubb won’t be ready to go at the start of the year so he could end up on the early-season PUP/IR list. If so, Ford and/or Foreman would most likely be leaned on to handle a bulk of the early down carries for the team.</p>
<p id="Ycm0BS">Foreman’s running style and success should give him a leg-up in the competition throughout training camp, especially in short-yardage situations. Foreman being in Cleveland muddies the water for Ford in 2024.</p>
<h4 id="pgHkQG"><strong>How signing could impact the NFL Draft</strong></h4>
<p id="VXxh5Q">Foreman has the ability to be a steady contributor for the Browns but he’s only in town on a 1-year deal. Running back is another position that’s hard to gauge for Cleveland in terms of their draft plans.</p>
<p id="6k95qO">They could choose to draft one in the mid to late rounds in order to groom them for the future or refrain from doing so at all. They may feel comfortable enough with having a position group consisting of Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, Foreman, and Nyheim Hines in 2024.</p>
<p id="7ewD20"><strong>Reported Deal: </strong>1-year deal, details not yet specified</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="ZGKq2S">
<p id="h7bewf"><em><strong>What are your thoughts on the D’Onta Foreman signing? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.</strong></em></p>
<p id="vvCPSH"></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24111360/cleveland-browns-free-agency-profile-donta-foreman-nick-chubb-jerome-ford-nyheim-hinesMatt_Wilson2024-03-27T07:58:01-04:002024-03-27T07:58:01-04:00ESPN’s 7-round mock draft has the Browns bulk up the middle of the team only
<figure>
<img alt="NFL Combine - Portraits" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/tLujIKogJHTVfEVpx-0zXKSZxmI=/0x0:5616x3744/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73235804/2051554146.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>T’Vondre Sweat is a big start, Trey Benson is a nice piece in a mock draft only of up the middle players</p> <p id="EUsuIS">At the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-combine">NFL Combine</a>, I spoke with a number of media from national outlets about a variety of topics. An interesting theme I heard from those whose publications cover multiple sports is that the NFL, college football and the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL draft</a> are the three biggest sports that they cover.</p>
<p id="E8H33O">Inside of the NFL draft coverage, NFL mock drafts are the biggest piece of the pie. For a variety of reasons, fans love seeing where players might go, how one pick impacts another and to picture what an entire draft class could look like.</p>
<p id="bXyHrX"><a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/draft2024/insider/story/_/id/39806887/2024-nfl-mock-draft-matt-miller-seven-rounds-257-picks-predictions">ESPN’s most recent mock draft</a> (subscriber, $) included seven rounds. For <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> fans, those are much more interesting given the team’s lack of a first-round selection. In an interesting development, Matt Miller (one of the media members I spend time with at the Combine) ended up only giving the Browns middle-of-the-field players.</p>
<p id="hgfGT0">Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is for the fans to decide.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="1kweK7"><strong>54. Cleveland Browns</strong></p>
<p id="pCZNvE"><strong>T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas</strong></p>
<p id="MimCgp">Adding a space-eating defensive tackle for Jim Schwartz’s scheme may not seem like a need, but my goodness, would this cause problems for offenses. How do you give Myles Garrett double-team attention when a 366-pound Outland Award-winning nose tackle is crashing the pocket? Trading for Jerry Jeudy and signing linebackers Devin Bush and Jordan Hicks frees the Browns up to add the big nose tackle here.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="GD1iyF">Sweat is an interesting pick after <strong>Siaki Ika</strong> was selected in the third round last year. Sweat is a straight-ahead pass rusher with a lot of size in run defense. Between Sweat and Ika, there may not be enough pass rushing but the interior of the line of the future is not going anywhere.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="fe6YU2"><strong>85. Cleveland Browns</strong></p>
<p id="WdGA75"><strong>Trey Benson, RB, </strong><a href="https://www.tomahawknation.com/"><strong>Florida State</strong></a></p>
<p id="KSApNY">Cleveland has to find a reliable runner behind Nick Chubb, who is coming off a <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38471366/sources-browns-rb-nick-chubb-believed-only-torn-mcl">leg injury</a>. Benson has power at 216 pounds, great burst and very good receiving traits out of the backfield.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="3LK1CO">If you have read a lot of our draft prep, you will know that Benson is one of the only running backs that seems to have the ability to develop into a three-down player. There are a couple of receivers, including <strong>Ja’Lynn Polk</strong>, that could intrigue Cleveland at this point but Benson should be a steal here.</p>
<p id="xRxRUV">To finish off the Browns mock, Miller has the team adding LBs <strong>Ty’Ron Hopper </strong>and <strong>Nathaniel Watson</strong> along with OG <strong>KT Leveston</strong>.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="r2hJVB">
<p id="7gATNg"><em><strong>What do you think of Sweat and Benson to start the Browns mock draft? Do you mind not adding any players on the outside of the field?</strong></em></p>
https://www.dawgsbynature.com/2024/3/27/24113363/espns-7-round-mock-draft-browns-matt-miller-tvondre-sweat-trey-bensonJared Mueller