The Cleveland Browns made their first splash to upgrade their defensive line in NFL free agency by landing the pressure machine in defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo on a three-year deal that can be worth up to $22 million. As they let Jadeveon Clowney walk this offseason following his tumultuous departure from the team, the Browns now have their running mate opposite of Myles Garrett. Here we take a look at the signing, how Okoronkwo fits in Jim Schwartz’s defense, the financial side of the deal, and more to grade out the signing. Spoiler alert: this is a pretty great deal between the Browns and Okoronkwo. While Okoronkwo only managed five sacks this past season with the Texans, he managed to hit opposing quarterbacks an additional 11 times as well. A step further, Okoronkwo racked up pressures at the same rate as Garrett and Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. According to PFF, he graded out with a pass rushing grade of 81.9 for the Texans in 2022. While he did not grade out exceptionally as a run blocker, Okoronkwo’s tape shows a player who is not afraid to initiate contact and set a strong edge. The pass rushing numbers are eye-popping even if the sacks have not come to fruition, and his run defense is fine at worst. The Browns were able to sign a player who gets after the quarterback as much as Garrett and Parsons for the price of just $6.3 million per year, capping out at potentially $22 million throughout his three-year deal. Okoronkwo’s base deal is for $19 million over three years with the Browns. By all means, this is a mid-to-low-end contract financially, and the ceiling of what Okoronkwo can be with the Browns far exceeds that. Do not be surprised if the Browns and Okoronkwo are speaking again next offseason about a new deal after his production opposite Garrett skyrockets.

#Browns

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