{"id":82527,"date":"2024-01-20T02:11:03","date_gmt":"2024-01-20T02:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aweu.info\/?p=82527"},"modified":"2024-01-20T02:11:03","modified_gmt":"2024-01-20T02:11:03","slug":"pff-suggests-falcons-should-pursue-browns-11-7-million-star-kieu-linh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aweu.info\/pff-suggests-falcons-should-pursue-browns-11-7-million-star-kieu-linh\/","title":{"rendered":"PFF Suggests Falcons Should Pursue Browns\u2019 $11.7 Million Star"},"content":{"rendered":"
Following a 45-14 loss to the\u00a0Houston Texans\u00a0to kick off the NFL Playoffs, the\u00a0Cleveland Browns\u00a0are now in offseason mode. And executive VP of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry certainly has his work cut out for him.<\/p>\n
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Not only do the Browns face significant salary-cap concerns, but they\u2019ve also got\u00a026 pending free agents, one of the most notable names being three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher\u00a0Za\u2019Darius Smith, who Cleveland acquired last May in a surprise trade with the\u00a0Minnesota Vikings.<\/p>\n
Despite not putting up the numbers he has in the past, Smith could still fetch a pretty penny in free agency, and the Browns may not be able to afford his services, given their financial issues.<\/p>\n
As such, if the Browns opt not to bring Smith back to play opposite\u00a0Myles Garrett,\u00a0Pro Football Focus believes\u00a0the\u00a0Atlanta Falcons\u00a0should pursue the 31-year-old with this assessment:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Falcons struggled to generate much pressure off the edge in 2023, and while they will be encouraged by Arnold Ebiketie\u2019s development in his second NFL season, a veteran presence would be a wise addition. Smith has earned an 84.0 PFF pass-rushing grade or better in each of his past four seasons with at least 100 pass-rushing snaps.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Falcons haven\u2019t really had a dominant pass rusher since John Abraham left town following the 2013 season, so signing Smith to a short-term deal could be worth it. And Atlanta is in a far better position than Cleveland to make a run at him.<\/p>\n
Heading into the 2024 NFL offseason,\u00a0Spotrac projects the Browns\u00a0to be $13.86 million over the salary cap.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Deshaun Watson, of course, is the major factor there, as his cap hit for the 2024 season is $63.977 million, the largest in league history. But he\u2019s certainly not Cleveland\u2019s only high-paid player, as\u00a0Amari Cooper,\u00a0Denzel Ward, and Myles Garrett have a combined cap hit of $67.39 million.<\/p>\n
\nThe one free agent each team should sign this offseason, per @PFF_Gordon<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/awIIMA77CK<\/a><\/p>\n
— PFF (@PFF) January 18, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n