While year four of the Kevin Stefanski era was far from stable for the Cleveland Browns, the team persevered and established a strong platform for success in the future. The Browns won 11 games and secured a playoff berth despite starting five quarterbacks during the season as Stefanski earned NFL Coach of the Year honors. With star QB Deshaun Watson finally healthy, Cleveland will plan to build on last year’s success in 2024.
The team added several talented rookies in the 2024 NFL Draft, including second-rounder Michael Hall Jr. — a defensive tackle from Ohio State — and Michigan guard Zak Zinter in the third round. With the draft over, the team will still be looking to make some final additions through free agency. Here are three free agents the Browns must target after the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kwon Alexander (ILB)
The Browns lost linebackers Sione Takitaki and Anthony Walker Jr in free agency, replacing them with new signings Devin Bush and Jordan Hicks. Hicks was a solid performer for the Minnesota Vikings but Bush has underwhelmed for the majority of his career. Cleveland does not have much cover behind their newly signed duo, and another veteran backer would add much-needed depth to this linebacking corps.
Kwon Alexander had a solid season for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. He is the type of dependable player who can step up in a pinch and could even challenge Devin Bush for a starting role. The Browns already have an elite defense, but adding depth is what will make this team a Super Bowl contender.
Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE)
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is one of the NFL’s elite pass-rushers, but the Browns lack another player who can consistently get to the quarterback. Three other players had at least 4.5 sacks yet none had more than 5.5 sacks in 2023. Cleveland did not add a pass-rusher in the NFL Draft and has yet to address this need in free agency.
One of the best edge players still available is Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue had a career-low four sacks for the Chicago Bears last season but averaged better than nine sacks per year over his previous seven seasons in the NFL. Ngakoue is good enough to be a starter, but in Cleveland, he would be a key rotation player still receiving significant snaps. Defensive depth is so important to success in the NFL, and Ngakoue will help keep Myles Garrett fresh and would be a valuable replacement should Garrett or Za’darius Smith go down with injury.
Mecole Hardman (WR)
Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore will be free agents next offseason and none of the team’s recent mid-round picks at the position have panned out yet. Louisville’s Jamari Thrash — a fifth-round pick this year — is the team’s latest addition through the draft, this offense could use another proven threat.
Mecole Hardman endured a difficult season in 2023, first with the New York Jets and then with the Kansas City Chiefs. But he was an elite deep threat for the Chiefs during his first four NFL seasons. With tight end David Njoku and slot wide receiver Elijah Moore as the underneath options and Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy as more down-the-field targets, Mecole Hardman’s straight-line speed opens up a world of possibilities for quarterback Deshaun Watson
