NFL Free Agency 2025: Cleveland Browns Depth Chart + Offseason Moves

The Cleveland Browns fan base has heard all the jokes by now. So let’s cut them some slack here and focus on the future. It’s bad, and it’s been bad for a while, so how do they unravel this mess and move forward?

It all starts with NFL free agency. You can’t just wipe the slate completely clean in 2025. But you can get the ball rolling in the right direction. That naturally will come with some difficult decisions which the Browns will need to start making within the next 20 days.

Our goal here is to look at the Browns' offensive weapons and comb through the depth chart, the contracts, the cap space, and the free agents. We’ll make some predictions as to what might happen and formulate a plan. If you play dynasty fantasy football or early best ball, maybe you can take advantage of some of this info!  

*The salary cap numbers referenced in this article come courtesy of our friends over at Spotrac.com*

Cleveland Browns Depth Chart 2025 (Fantasy Football Relevant)

• White = unrestricted free agent
• Green = role is safe
• Yellow = role in flux
• Orange = likely a depth piece
• Red = roster spot not guaranteed

Cleveland Browns Free Agency 2025

• CURRENT PROJECTED 2025 SALARIES: ~$345M
• CURRENT ESTIMATED 2025 CAP SPACE: ~$28M

Browns Quarterback Depth Chart

Deshaun Watson: Things were ugly for Watson. Then he tore his Achilles tendon in October, making them even uglier. Then, last month in what Browns GM Andrew Berry described as an “unfortunate accident”, Deshaun Watson re-tore his Achilles tendon. That will extend his stint at rock bottom, possibly through the entire 2025 season.

For now, there isn’t much the Browns can do with Watson besides throw him on the PUP list. They already restructured his deal. Part of that freed up space but it also essentially locks him into the team through 2026. He has a “no trade” clause so that’s out the window (not that anyone would be excited to trade for him).

Kevin Stefanski has stuck by his guns in saying that Watson gives them the best chance to win. I predict things to shake out like this. If the Browns flounder again in 2025, Watson might get one last shot in 2026. If the Browns find their QB of the future in 2025 and make that clear to Watson, he’ll likely be willing to waive that no trade clause. Worst case, you have a very expensive backup QB until he can be released.

Jameis Winston: Winston took over once Deshaun Watson got hurt. And he played like the typical reckless Winston, throwing 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was inevitably benched in Week 15 for Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

He’s an unrestricted free agent in 2025 which likely ends his stint with Cleveland. It’s doubtful anyone views him as a viable starter at this stage unless they are doing a complete bridge year where losing is part of the plan. A team will likely be interested in him as a backup and a positive locker room presence. 

Dorian Thompson-Robinson: The QB they call DTR told reporters that the last three games of 2024 would be his “audition as Browns QB of 2025”. He then threw three interceptions with no touchdowns over the first two games (while not throwing for more than 170 yards in either game). He was benched for Bailey Zappe. He can be released with only $171K in dead cap so it’s not a lock he’s even on the roster in 2025.

Bailey Zappe: In classic Cleveland Browns fashion, Bailey Zappe ended up being the fourth quarterback to start for the Browns last season. He played the season finale in a mediocre performance that ended up being a blowout loss. He’s an unrestricted free agent but may be in the mix for a deep roster spot.

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

BROWNS QB FREE AGENCY TAKE: I know that we are focusing on offense in this article. But, oddly, Myles Garrett’s situation factors into this. The short and sweet of the story is that Myles Garrett wants to compete for a championship and requested a trade. GM Andrew Berry said that they wouldn’t trade him, not even for two firsts, and that he’s part of their plan to win. Garrett wants to know what that plan is.

Maybe the plan includes trading up for a quarterback like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. Or maybe it means bringing in a quarterback either via trade or free agency. Matthew Stafford is on the trade block and Aaron Rodgers is expected to be released. Here are the quarterback options to compete now, if that’s what they want to do.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Matthew Stafford (via trade), Aaron Rodgers (once released), Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Daniel Jones

Browns Running Back Depth Chart

Nick Chubb: We don’t need to much speculating here in terms of the Browns as Andrew Berry has been very open at the NFL Combine this week. He said they expect Nick Chubb to enter the open market. That doesn’t mean he’s gone. But it means talks with Cleveland have stalled.

The most intriguing spots for fantasy football would be teams like the Dallas Cowboys or Minnesota Vikings where the depth chart is WIDE open. But, for NFL purposes and his longevity, the most interesting might be the Chicago Bears. 

Ben Johnson wants to implement a two-back system like he had in Detroit. Being part of a committee could be ideal for the 29 year old Chubb. He’s healing from a broken foot but is expected to be ready to go by the start of the season. 

Jerome Ford: Jerome Ford was the Browns starting back before Nick Chubb returned from his knee injury and after he left with his foot injury. He’s currently in-line to be the Browns starting back in 2025 if they don’t make any moves. He averaged 5.4 yards per game though explosive plays as well as draws or runs out of shotgun have boosted that number. 

For instance, he averaged 11 yards per carry on plays when it was 2nd down and 10 or more yards to go. Despite his shortcomings, he could end up being either the Browns' starter or part of a committee in 2025. They have a lot of holes to fill and limited resources to do it. 

You don’t want him to be more than your RB3 or flex in dynasty but, if you are competing now, he could provide some value. Just don’t overpay to get him as they still need a QB and there’s no guarantee that he doesn’t get replaced. 

Pierre Strong:  After being drafted by New England, Strong was sent to the Browns via trade. He hasn’t really flashed at all with his limited opportunities but he and Ford are the only two backs under contract. He could be released with no dead cap and $1.1M in savings but he plays on multiple special teams units, including returning kicks, so he might hang around. 

D'Onta Foreman: The issue for D'Onta Foreman has always been the same - he’s not a threat in the pass game. The box is often stacked against him so he’s really just used in short area running. He could be a cheap option if they want to do a 1-2 punch with Jerome Ford as an affordable backfield. He’s an unrestricted free agent. 

John Kelly: John Kelly was cut by the Browns then added by the Ravens then cut by the Ravens then signed by the Browns at the very end of the year due to injuries. So not exactly a hot commodity. He’s primarily a special teams player and, if he’s back, it will be in that capacity. 

Nyheim Miller-Hines: Hines unfortunately suffered an ACL tear in a jet ski accident off the field in 2023 and has struggled to get back to playing form. After missing his second straight year, his contract was recently terminated by the Browns. So, he’ll be a free agent if he can return to play. 

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

BROWNS RB FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Browns have the third fewest cap space of any team (if you can call negative $28 million “space”). So signing a high end running back should not be a priority for this team. 

I expect them to proceed with Jerome Ford, who seemingly played better in passing situations than early downs. If they bring in a bruiser back to compliment him, that would help. The draft is an option, or bringing back D'Onta Foreman, but here are some affordable guys to take a stab at.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: D'Onta Foreman, Alexander Mattison, Cam Akers, Elijah Mitchell, Khalil Herbert, AJ Dillon

Browns Wide Receiver Depth Chart

Jerry Jeudy: One bright spot for the Browns was Jerry Jeudy, who had by far the best years of his career with 90 targets for 1,229 yards. After going through a number of different quarterbacks in Denver, he was finally able to show what he can do with a semi-capable quarterback who is willing to throw over the middle. 

Quarterback is still a question for Jeudy. But he’s also still only 25 years old as he was a very young prospect coming out of Alabama. If you can get him for a reasonable price, Jeudy feels like a guy who can be a top two target in whatever situation he ends up in.

The Browns' decision to extend him looks like a good one so far though, if he keeps playing the way he played this year, he could be asking for more money in the coming years. 

Elijah Moore: The Browns made a simple bet with Elijah Moore. They bet that the Jets didn’t know what they had. And they gave him a shot. Statistically though, Elijah Moore has been one of the least efficient wide receivers to get 100+ targets in each of the last two years. 

For instance, even if you lower the bar to 80 targets, Elijah Moore had the lowest yards per route run of any WR in 2024. With their cap issues, maybe you bring Moore back if he’s willing to take a VERY team-friendly deal. If he wants any sort of payday, you let him walk. That kind of production is replaceable. 

Cedric Tillman: One reason you would let Elijah Moore walk is Cedric Tillman. After the trade of Amari Cooper, Tillman finally got a chance to show what he can do. And he flashed for a bit before suffering a concussion that landed him on IR. The assumption is that he’ll be good to go for 2025.

It’s worth noting that Tillman had Tightrope surgery for a high ankle injury in 2022 and, with guys like Tony Pollard, Darnell Mooney, and Mark Andrews, we have seen the recovery for that linger into Year 2 (which would have been the rookie season for Tillman). 

Given the possibility that Tillman is an every-down starter for the Browns in 2025, I think it’s worth taking a stab at him where possible. Alex Korff’s trade value charts suggest he could be had for a late second or early third in your dynasty leagues. 

Michael Woods: Amari Cooper was traded and Cedric Tilman was hurt which forced Michael Woods into action after being elevated from the practice squad. He caught only 7 of his 17 targets though the quarterback play by that stage was rough. He can be released with zero dead cap in 2025 so not a lock to make the roster. 

Jamari Thrash: There was some steam for Thrash in the offseason, especially after he received the Maurice Bassett Award for outstanding rookie in preseason (as voted by the Browns media). Unfortunately, he was stuck down the depth chart and struggled to be active on game days. He did manage to play a bit down the stretch but only finished with three catches. With their lack of depth, I expect him to hang around. 

David Bell: Former third-round pick David Bell has had a disappointing start to his career. He was waived at the start of the season before being brought back the following week. Shortly after that he suffered a hip injury that required season ending surgery. Considering he was already released once and can be cut with $0 dead cap and ~$1.4M in savings, he has an uphill battle to make this roster. 

James Proche: The Browns were going back and forth between Jaelon Darden and James Proche on the roster. Both were cut and signed multiple times. Inevitably Darden was waived and the Seahawks signed him. Proche was elevated to the active roster at the very end of the year to help with return duties. He’s a free agent and not a priority to bring back. 

• Reserves/Futures: N/A

BROWNS WR FREE AGENCY TAKE: The lack of cap space is a big problem at this position because meaningful contributors don’t come cheap. And that’s part of the reason that I’m buying on guys like Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman. There are 29 teams with more cap space and 31 of them have a better QB situation. The New York Giants have no QB under contract at all and that is still superior to the Browns QB situation.

So the odds of someone meaningful coming to the Browns is not great. They have Jerry Jeudy as a slot flanker and Cedric Tillman at split end. If they can afford any sort of field stretcher, that would help. The draft might be the way but here are the options.

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Elijah Moore, Tutu Atwell, Nelson Agholor, DJ Chark, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Dyami Brown, Mack Hollins, Zay Jones

Browns Tight End Depth Chart

David Njoku: David Njoku is one of the bright spots on this team. And he’s under contract for 2025. I wish they didn’t waste time chasing Austin Hooper after an outlier season in Atlanta where the Falcons threw 50 more times than any other team but that’s what teams like the Browns do. Njoku is 29 years old but tight ends can produce longer than positions like RB.

Njoku is a guy you potentially buy if you are competing now because Kevin Stefanski loves his tight ends and they don’t really have the assets to load on pass-catchers. Even if they draft a WR, how far can Njoku get pushed down the pecking order. His athleticism lets him do more with less with the ball in his hands making him a “safe” player for fantasy football. 

Jordan Akins: Jordan Akins served as the TE2 which made him the TE1 for about seven games when David Njoku was hurt. He’s a journeyman that doesn’t offer much upside but, if they can bring him back for cheap, he would serve his purpose. He’s an unrestricted free agent as of now.

Blake Whiteheart: Whiteheart played the third most tight end snaps for the Browns in 2024, primarily as the blocking tight end when David Njoku was out. He also contributed on a few different special teams units. If they want Whiteheart back it would be easy as he’s an exclusive rights free agent so they can bring him back on a veteran minimum deal without him being able to negotiate. 

Geoff Swaim: Swaim was signed as veteran depth when Njoku was banged up. He’s one of many free agents who could come back if they were willing to take a vet minimum deal. Because that’s where this team is at in terms of cap space. 

Brendan Bates: Bates appeared primarily on special teams for the Browns and only sporadically. He’s under contract for 2025 but carries zero dead cap if he’s released with about $1M in savings. So, he doesn’t have much of a leg up as far as making the team. 

• Reserves/Futures: Tre' McKitty

BROWNS TE FREE AGENCY TAKE: The Browns will have to have some depth behind David Njoku. And they also like using tight ends on special teams so they will fill out the roster that way.

They don’t really have money to spend here and are banking on Njoku as the starter, so the game here is finding a backup at an affordable cost. Akins and Swaim are on the table but here are some other names that could be cheap. 

POSSIBLE FREE AGENT OPTIONS: Jordan Akins, Geoff Swaim, Harrison Bryant, Tommy Tremble, Irv Smith Jr, Durham Smythe