As free agency draws near, the Cleveland Browns will monitor a variety of positions, including wide receivers and defensive linemen… insert Christian Wilkins.
The Browns are all in.
They still believe they have their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, offensive weapons and a top-rated defense. Even with the abundance of injuries that the Browns endured in 2023, which forced them to use five total different quarterbacks during the regular season, Cleveland was still the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. Despite the unfortunate blowout ending at the hands of the Texans in Houston, the Browns know they’re right there when it comes to making a run at a Super Bowl.
The Browns have made a pretty big splash in free agency every season since Andrew Berry has taken over as the teams’ general manager.
Berry was hired in 2020, and that same offseason, the Browns handed tight end Austin Hooper a four-year, $44 million deal, offensive tackle Jack Conklin a three-year $42 million deal and backup quarterback Case Keenum a three-year, $18 million deal.
Fast forward to the next offseason, in 2021, the Browns gave safety John Johnson ll three-year, $33.75 million deal. Then before the 2022 season, Cleveland traded for Deshaun Watson and handed him a five-year, $230 million fully guranteed contract. That same offseason, the Browns also traded for wider receiver Amari Cooper and even signed Pro Bowl return specialist Jakeem Grant Sr. to a three-year deal.
A year ago, Cleveland was still looking to make their annual splash or two in free agency. The team signed defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson four-year, $57 million deal, defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo to a three-year deal, added safety Juan Thornhill on a three-year, $21 million deal and even gave center Ethan Pocic a three-year extension.
That being said, the Browns, led by Berry have proven to not be shy when it comes to making big-time additions in the offseason, especially in free agency.
With Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins likely avoiding the franchise tag and potentially hitting the open market in free agency, Miami will have to be aggressive in keeping Wilkins around if they want him to remain with the team.
There will certainly be a market for Wilkins and the Browns would likely be in the midst of it.
While ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler said there would be several teams in the mix if Wilkins does in fact hit the open market, he listed the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns as teams who could be in the market.
“The Browns are always good for a splash or two, for instance,” Fowler stated. “Would they strengthen an already stout defense with the versatile DT?”
Most free agents have specific things that they would want on their next team, many of which desire a proven quarterback.
Not only do the Browns have that, but Wilkins knows Watson extremely well from their college days.
The two played together at Clemson during the 2016 season, when Wilkins was a freshman and Watson was a junior. That year, Watson and Wilkins started every game and led the Tigers to a championship.
In their championship year, Wilkins tallied 48 total tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. Watson accumulated 4,593 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.
Both have found immense success in the NFL and would likely be open to reuniting in Cleveland.
Not to mention, both Watson and Wilkins are represented by the same agent, David Mulugheta.
Nevertheless, there is going to be a big market for the 28-year-old defensive tackle, but the Browns are a serious and realistic player to land Wilkins if he become available.
