Browns must make decisions on CB Ward and others
If the Browns want to retain Denzel Ward, they will at the very least need to make him among the three highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
That's the view of former NFL agent Joel Corry, a contract and salary-cap expert for CBS Sports.
Ward and the Browns engaged in extension talks last offseason, but the Nordonia High School and Ohio State product essentially ended up betting on himself in 2021.
It paid off.
Ward had the best season of his career in 2021 and earned his second Pro Bowl selection. He compiled 43 tackles, a half sack, a team-high 10 passes defensed and three interceptions in 15 games.
“He's a keeper,” Corry said. “Here's the problem: He's represented by Marshon Lattimore's agent, so you're not getting him done for less than Marshon Lattimore — that's $19.4 million a year — minimum.”
A former teammate of Ward at Ohio State, Lattimore signed his new deal with the New Orleans Saints in September.
Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams sits atop the cornerback market with an average annual salary of $20 million. Marlon Humphrey of the Baltimore Ravens makes $19.5 million per year.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft , Ward is due $13.294 million guaranteed in 2022 after Browns General Manager Andrew Berry exercised the fifth-year option on the player's rookie deal this past April. Ward is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2023.
Spotrac.com projects the Browns to have about $36.4 million in salary-cap space in 2022. Overthecap.com's projection is $39.6. Both estimates would put the Browns in the top half of the league's 32 teams in terms of cap room.
Local player receives prestigious honor: Denzel Ward named Cleveland Browns 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year
Landry among Browns who could be released in cost-cutting moves
The combination of Jarvis Landry's contract and lack of production this season gives rise to legitimate questions about whether the Browns will let him go .
The five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver is under contract through next season, when he's scheduled to make $15.05 million in salary and bonuses, with a salarycap hit of $16.55 million, according to spotrac.com. His dead cap hit would be just $1.5 million if he's released.
“It makes him prime to be released, given his productivity this year,” Corry said.
Another Browns player whose future Corry wonders about is starting center JC Tretter, who saidhe plans to play next season.
Tretter is among the NFL'S top centers, but when he missed a 24-22 loss to the Green Bay Packers due to COVID-19, 2020 fifth-round pick Nick Harris had a good outing.
The president of the NFL Players Association, Tretter is under contract through the 2022 season, when he's set to make $8.25 million, with a cap hit of $9.875 million and dead cap hit of $1.625 million if he's released, according to spotrac.com.
Clowney headlines list of Browns players with expiring contracts
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney is an impending unrestricted free agent the Browns would like to re-sign.
Clowney said on Dec. 31 he's open to coming back, but contract extension talks had yet to begin between the team and his agent.
Free agents can sign with other teams starting at 4 p.m. March 16 There's a window in which to negotiate those deals that begins at noon March 14.
In April, Clowney signed a one-year contract with the Browns worth up to $10 million with incentives. In 14 games this season, he tallied 37 tackles, nine sacks, two passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
“If he's ever going to get a payday, he's almost getting to now-or-never time,” said Corry. “He's going to be 29 [on Feb. 14].”
Njoku could surprise with what he commands in free agency
Tight end David Njoku is another player with an expiring contract the Browns want back.
In 16 games this season, Njoku caught 36 passes for 475 yards and a team-leading four touchdowns.