Browns building up trenches in free agency

The Browns’ defensive line was lackluster outside of DE Myles Garrett in 2022. But the team has already made a couple of moves to make sure that doesn’t happen again in 2023.

Cleveland agreed to sign DE Obo Okoronkwo to a three-year, $19 million contract and DT Dalvin Tomlinson to a four-year, $57 million deal on day one of free agency.

Okoronkwo had by far the best season of his career in 2022, posting a career-high 44 tackles and five sacks, and will fill in as DE Jadeveon Clowney’s replacement.

Tomlinson also had a productive year while missing four games. He had 42 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Both players will have immediate impact as no Browns’ defender besides Garrett had more the three sacks last season.

However, there is some concern that Cleveland didn’t decide to go for younger free agents. Okoronkwo will be 28-years-old next season while Tomlinson turned 29-years-old in February. Both players should still have a lot of gas left in the tank but are surely on the back half of their careers.

The Browns are likely not done yet, but they’ve clearly showed what their focus is on to start 2023. Will they continue to add to the defense or will they start to build more around QB Deshaun Watson?