CLEVELAND — As the Browns’ 2019 season winds down, GM John Dorsey knows he has decisions to make about the roster.
Aside from considering the extension of rookie contracts for players like Myles Garrett, Larry Ogunjobi and David Njoku, who are all eligible following the season, Dorsey has a group of potential free agents to deal with.
Seven Browns will be unrestricted free agents, a group headlined by Joe Schobert and Damarious Randall. Four others, including Kareem Hunt, will be restricted free agents.
Let’s take a look at each player’s situation.
Unrestricted free agents
Unless they sign contract extensions with the Browns, these players can sign with any team once the free agency period begins March 18.
Juston Burris, S
This season: Burris was cut at the end of training camp, then claimed off the Raiders’ practice squad in Week 3 due to injuries in the secondary. He has played at least 50 percent of the defensive snaps in four of the last five weeks, splitting time between both safety spots and slot corner. Pro Football Focus grades him as the best tackler and sixth-best run defender on the defense this season. He also has two interceptions, and is the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner this season.
His future: With Morgan Burnett and Eric Murray both injured for much of the season, Burris has made a strong case for returning in 2019, especially if Steve Wilks’ safety-heavy defensive system is still in place.
Rashard Higgins, WR
This season: The biggest mystery of the season this side of Genard Avery has been Higgins’ lack of playing time. There was confusion over exactly when has been healthy enough to play, and when he has gotten on the field, he’s an afterthought in the passing game. He has been targeted just 10 times over seven games, with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
His future: Whatever chemistry he had with Baker Mayfield seems to be lost at this point. It’s hard to imagine Higgins wanting to return if Freddie Kitchens remains head coach.
Eric Murray, S
This season: Murray was a versatile piece of the Browns’ defense over the first half of the season, but has been sidelined by a knee injury since Week 8. He was one of the team’s top run defenders when healthy, and had the ability to defend in the slot.
His future: The Browns have big decisions to make at safety this offseason, but the fact that they signed Murray as a free agent prior to the season bodes well for his return.
Damarious Randall, S
This season: Randall’s contract was an offseason storyline that fizzled out. He didn’t receive an extension after what was arguably the best season of his career in 2018. He has dealt with injury this season and was inactive for unknown reasons in Week 13. PFF grades him as the second-best tackler on the defense and the top coverage safety. Randall has had four interceptions each year of his career but none this season.
His future: Getting to this point without talk of an extension, coupled with whatever happened in Week 13, doesn’t point to a return for Randall. And it probably doesn’t help that rookie Sheldrick Redwine has made plays at free safety late this season.
Greg Robinson, OT
This season: The Browns re-signed Robinson earlier this year to a one-year deal, allowing him to return to the starting left tackle spot. He is second among the offensive linemen with 21 quarterback pressures allowed, including three sacks and three hits in 12 games. He also has eight penalties, tied for the team-high with Chris Hubbard. His 2019 stats are similar to his nine-game (eight-start) totals from 2018.
His future: It remains unclear what the Browns’ plans are at left tackle going forward. The fact that they brought Robinson back this season suggests he can’t be ruled out for 2020.
Drew Stanton, QB
This season: Stanton has been on injured reserve with a knee injury since Week 2.
His future: Stanton is 35 and hasn’t thrown a pass in a regular-season game since 2017. His future role with the team might depend on Kitchens’ future.
Joe Schobert, LB
This season: Schobert leads the team in tackles (113 total) and defensive snaps (921, 99.2 percent) this season. While his PFF grades fall below his Pro Bowl pace of 2017, he is fifth in coverage snaps per reception (12.7) among linebackers with at least 300 snaps.
His future: Like Randall, Schobert’s contract extension was an offseason storyline. Then the Browns drafted two linebackers, including one who plays Schobert’s position – Sione Takitaki – in the third round. Schobert said recently that there hasn’t been a contract offer from the Browns, but that he’d like to remain in Cleveland.
Restricted free agents
These players can sign an offer sheet with any team once the free agency period begins, and the Browns have seven days to match.
Kareem Hunt, RB
This season: Hunt is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and has 30 catches for 220 yards over six games since returning from suspension. He has PFF’s second-highest offensive grade on the team (behind Nick Chubb), and the Browns have had success with two-running back schemes.
His future: Hunt’s ability to excel on the field and avoid issues off the field this season means other teams should have offers if he reaches March 18 without an extension from the Browns.
Justin McCray, OL
This season: McCray was signed during Week 1 to provide depth at the tackle spots, and has played in 12 games, making three starts. He has struggled in pass blocking (15 pressures, three sacks, four penalties in 164 snaps) but is PFF’s top-graded run blocker on the team and is often used as an extra lineman in running situations.
His future: Kendall Lamm seems to be the Browns’ first choice as backup tackle, but he has struggled to stay healthy this season. McCray’s success as a run blocker could earn him a chance to compete for a backup role in 2020.
Ricky Seals-Jones, TE
This season: David Njoku’s hand injury opened the door for Seals-Jones, who is second to Demetrius Harris this season in tight end snaps and receptions (13 catches, 206 yards), and second on the team in touchdown catches (four). He has struggled as a run blocker, earning the second-lowest grade on the team from PFF.
His future: Seals-Jones’ performance in the pass game might’ve earned him a chance to show he can improve as a blocker in 2020.
Bryan Cox Jr., DE
This season: With the Browns since Week 10, Cox has been a regular part of the defensive line rotation the last four games, totaling eight quarterback pressures and two sacks.
His future: The Browns had a depth makeover at defensive line midway through the season, and Cox has made a case for a spot behind Myles Garrett or Olivier Vernon in 2020.
Exclusive rights free agents
The Browns must make a contract offer by March 18 or these players become unrestricted free agents. If an offer is made, the player must sign or sit out the entire season to become a free agent.
Pharaoh Brown, TE
This season: Brown has mostly been a run blocker for the Browns this season, with just three passes thrown his way in eight games. He has PFF’s highest run-blocking grade among Browns tight ends.
His future: The Browns have no shortage of tight ends, but being the best run blocker of the bunch might keep Brown around.
Dontrell Hilliard, RB
This season: Hilliard began the season hyped as a suitable replacement for Duke Johnson, but he has played just 13 percent of the offensive snaps. He has 49 yards rushing and 11 catches in 13 games. His main role has been as kickoff and punt returner.
His future: His versatility as a running back, ability to return kicks and low price tag ($570,000 in 2019) should see him return in 2020.
KhaDarel Hodge, WR
This season: Hodge was claimed off waivers from the Rams prior to Week 1. He was seen as a special teams contributor at first, but has worked his way into the rotation at wide receiver, although he has just two catches on six targets.
His future: Like Hilliard, Hodge seems like an obvious player to bring back in 2020 due to his ability to contribute at multiple ways.
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