A Deal for Z, and Another Three

While the legal tampering period began for the NFL Monday and teams started agreeing to deals with free agents, the Cleveland Browns chose to stay out of the big-game hunting. Instead, they were mostly content bringing back one of their big dawgs on the defensive line, as edge rusher Za'Darius Smith agreed to a reported two-year deal worth $23.5 million. While his 5.5 sacks were a distant second on the team to Myles Garrett's 14, his 29 pressures were an important catalyst in providing opportunities for Garrett, contributing to his Myles's Defensive Player of the Year win.The Browns and Smith clearly have a better trust and understanding with each other than Garrett's last edge rushing mate, Jadeveon Clowney, who wore out his welcome in Cleveland and only signed one-year deals with the team. Smith showed more chemistry off the field and more effectiveness on the field than Clowney, and now he gets a chance to run in back with one of the best defenses in the NFL. Rejoining Garrett and Smith on the D-Line, defensive tackle Maurice Hurst also agreed to sign back with Cleveland after a productive and relatively healthy year of 1.5 sacks and 13 games played.The Browns got a head start on additions last week when they traded for Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos, acquiring the starting-caliber wide receiver for Day 3 picks ((sounds familiar...)).  While he's never had a 1000-yard receiving season, the Browns look like they're expecting him to put all his talent together in Cleveland. They might even be hoping he can be a replacement for Amari Cooper in the future, as the Pro Bowl vet is entering the final year of his deal. Other than Jeudy, the Browns' only other addition so far has been linebacker Jordan Hicks, who spent the last two years with the Minnesota Vikings, but played for Jim Schwartz in Philadelphia before that. He looks like the replacement for Anthony Walker, the beloved-but-oft-injured linebacker who agreed to sign with Miami, and Sione Takitaki, who agreed with the New England Patriots.Most of the top free agent targets that would interest the Browns have already been scooped up, namely defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who got a 4-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders worth up to $110 million. ((I don't think the Browns had the restructure skills to make that kind of big money work, but I'm no cap expert.)) Even with Hurst coming back, the Browns probably still have a need to fill at defensive tackle with 2023 starter Jordan Elliot still a free agent. If he is not re-signed, D.J. Reader and DaQuan Jones remain big names available ((Jones signed overnight, heading back to Buffalo.)) that will cost much less than Wilkins. Siaki Ika, one of last year's 3rd round picks, could also be a factor in that decision. If the Browns want to add a veteran back, an interesting one became available Monday in former Green Bay Packer Aaron Jones, who is still only 29 and has passing-down versatility. Same for old rival Joe Mixon, who was released by the Bengals. As for old friend Joe Flacco, reports have been strong that he could and would like to return to Cleveland, and with backup QB target and other old friend Jacoby Brissett agreeing with the Patriots to potentially start, Flacco may not get a better deal than coming back to the Browns.The stove gets hot quickly in NFL free agency ((side-eyeing you, MLB)), but it's a testament to how good the Browns' roster building has been the last few years that they have few, if any, desperate needs at which they must throw big money. The biggest impact move they could make after bringing in a wide receiver was making sure Myles Garrett had the help he needed. Check and check, now let's get a few more aces in the hole and win the draft. We're trying for another Offseason Championship belt before we start the drive for the Lombardi in September.