Browns busy in the trenches during second day of free agency
March 14, 2018The Indians Should Sign Alex Cobb
March 14, 2018The fun never seems to stop with the new Browns front office, and it continued this morning for Browns and Buckeye fans as free-agent-to-be Carlos Hyde agreed to a three-year deal worth more than $16 million, according to reports from nfl.com insider Ian Rapoport. The move will be made official once the league year starts at 4 pm today. While Hyde was productive for the 49ers, he was set to become a free agent after the season and will come back to the state where he shined in college, which is sure to bring in Ohio State fans who root for former Buckeyes.
The #Browns are expected to sign former #49ers RB Carlos Hyde, source said. He’s getting a three-year deal worth more than $15M, including $6M in year 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
The move fills a hole in the backfield after the departure of Isaiah Crowell to the New York Jets on a three-year deal of his own. Hyde played for the 49ers for his entire career before signing with Cleveland. Hyde accumulated the most yards from scrimmage of his career in 2017. The former Buckeye ran for 928 yards in 2017 along with eight touchdowns, while also catching a career-high 59 passes for 350 yards. Alongside holdover Duke Johnson, Hyde will be more of the bruiser back to Johnson’s flash and outside game, more than replacing the ineffective Crowell going forward. It remains to be seen whether or not this signing would keep Cleveland from drafting combine superstar Saquon Barkley, but it’s the feeling from this writer that they should pick their future QB first.
Signing Hyde continues a makeover of an offense that ranked dead last in points scored in 2017 and 24th in total yards. Newcomers Hyde, Tyrod Taylor (QB), Jarvis Landry (WR), Chris Hubbard and Donald Stephenson (offensive linemen) will be counted on to improve an offensive attack that promises to be at least different than the Hue Jackson led squad with the hire of Todd Haley as offensive coordinator in the offseason. Check out WFNY’s Joe Gilbert’s piece on the signings from Tuesday while we wait to see whether or not franchise icon and future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas returns to play in 2018.
The #Browns are signing TE Darren Fells to a 3-year deal worth $12M, source said. That will help the run game immensely.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2018
Tight end Darren Fells also came to an agreement with Cleveland on a three-year deal1 as well this morning. Fells played for the Detroit Lions in 2017, catching 17 passes for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Fells is more known for his run blocking ability and will help pave the way for Hyde and Johnson while also acting as a mentor for second-year tight end David Njoku.
- Why is everyone getting three-year deals? [↩]