Secondary gets boost; Hyde joins offense

The Browns identified the defensive backfield as one of the weakest units on the team by the end of 2017, and in a span of five days have added three players to correct the problem.

The Browns on March 14 signed former Raiders starting cornerback TJ Carrie and former Chiefs cornerback Terrance Mitchell. The two moves are in addition to the Browns trading quarterback DeShone Kizer to the Packers for defensive back Damarious Randall.

The Browns offense is getting another booster shot through free agency, and this one points to their grand plan in the draft next month.

The Browns are signing former Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde, 27, to a three-year, $15 million contract, according to sources. He will earn $6 million in 2018. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was the first to report the deal.

Rapoport also reported the Browns are signing tight end Darren Fells to a three-year contract for $12 million.

Signing Hyde in all likelihood means the Browns will use the first pick in the draft on a quarterback.

Adam Kaplan of ESPN is reporting Carrie’s contract is a four-year deal for $31 million with $15.5 million guaranteed.

Carrie he broke up nine passes and had a career best 84 tackles.

Mitchell was signed to the Chiefs practice squad on Sept. 6, 2016, and promoted to the active roster 10 days later. Mitchell, 25, started nine of 15 games and intercepted four passes in 2017.

Hyde carried the ball 240 times and gained 938 yards with eight rushing touchdowns for the 49ers last season. It was the first time in his four-year career he played and started all 16 games.

Fells played with the Lions last year after three seasons in Arizona.