Speculation is everywhere when it comes to the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Many have noted that they don’t have a first choice and, currently, don’t have the space to be highly involved in free agency. Others will focus on the eight selections they have in the NFL draft and the ability to make more than enough room, if they want, for free agency this year.
As always, trust is probably somewhere in between.
The Browns can create cap space but they don’t have to mortgage the future. Cleveland has the draft capital to add pieces that will be useful but, typically, first-round picks have a shot and are able to make the biggest impact as rookies.
We will continue to profile free agents as we head into the NFL combine. Once we have data from prospects, we will add NFL draft profiles as well.
First name
Juan Thornhill
Position
Safety
Height Weight
6’/205 lbs
Team 2022
Kansas City Chiefs
Statistics:
2023: 16 games, 16 starts, 1044 snaps (95%), 71 tackles, nine passes defended, four tackles for loss, three INTs, two QB hits, one sack
Career: 65 games, 52 starts, 234 tackles, 20 PDs, eight INTs, five TFLs, four QB hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
PFF rank:
67.1 overall, 60.4 against run, 68.7 against pass
Contract 2022
Final year of rookie contract, $2.765 million
Fit with the Browns
Thornhill’s form with Cleveland is totally up to the team’s decision John Johnson III. New DC Jim Schwartz may believe JJ3 is as good as we saw in LA, blame everything on Joe Woods, and want to ride with the veteran. If not, GM Andrew Berry could save edge space by dropping Johnson and dropping Thornhill into the backend of the defense.
The Browns player signing could make an impact
John Johnson III – A small chance that would make an impact Grant Delpit but the reality is that JJ3’s time in Cleveland may hinge on Berry thinking he can substitute him for relatively effective use of the bounds space.
How signing could affect the NFL Draft
Another area where JJ3 and Thornhill are mixed together. If Johnson is still on the roster or Thornhill is signed, the safety could attract some attention in the mid to late rounds. If neither is on the roster, safety quickly slides down to the second or third biggest need on the team.
Priority
Average height – Thornhill will be one of the guys you’ll see us mocking the Browns in free agency due to the combination of his ability and arguably realistic price tag. PFF has a two-year, $11 million guaranteed contract projection. That’s a value we’d like to add to Cleveland’s defense.
