The Cleveland Browns raised eyebrows yesterday around the NFL by releasing defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson.
Richardson, 30, was due to make about $11 million in the final year of his contract this season.
This was viewed by many as a cost-cutting move by the Browns.
Sheldon Richardson came to the Browns when they were coming off yet another disappointing season.
He could've used Cleveland as a paycheck like so many.
Instead Sheldon was a major part of the Browns playoff run and a constant source of energy.
Thank you Sheldon. Good luck. pic.twitter.com/IHPQP5IsNN
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) April 16, 2021
Richardson is a solid player with 8 years of NFL experience with the Jets, Seahawks, Vikings, and Browns; he excels as a run-stopper.
Ironically, while with the Minnesota Vikings, Richardson crossed paths with his future head coach Kevin Stefanski though Stefanski was offensive coordinator.
He will most likely be signed by another team quickly since there are several in need of veteran defensive tackles.
Here are three teams that could sign Sheldon Richardson.
Dallas Cowboys
Sheldon Richardson was almost a Dallas Cowboy earlier in his career.
The New York Jets attempted to trade him to the Cowboys in 2016 but were unsuccessful.
Dallas lacks veteran leadership in the position.
Tristan Hill is coming back from an ACL injury, and the Cowboys will rely on 2020 rookie Neville Gallimore to step up this year.
Richardson played 73% of the Browns defensive snaps in 2020 so he is reliable and can provide much needed consistency in Dallas.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders’ defense was a letdown in 2020, and the organization is trying to fix that in the 2021 offseason.
A new defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley, has been hired.
With former Gus Bradley pupils Sheldon Richardson and Richard Sherman on the market, are the @Raiders interested in a reunion? https://t.co/jiPWPrGVaB
— Vegas Nation (@VegasNation) April 16, 2021
Defensive linemen Arden Key and Maurice Hurst will not be on the 2021 roster.
The Raiders signed Yannick Ngakoue, Quinton Jefferson, and Solomon Thomas.
Historically, the Raiders do not draft well.
The team also likes signing veteran players and are more likely to do so in 2021 if the offseason workouts are virtual, which is perceived as a disadvantage for young and newly drafted players.
All of this means a veteran like Sheldon Richardson who has played in 121 career regular season games and has recorded 273 solo tackles would be a welcome addition in Las Vegas for 2021.
New Orleans Saints
While much of the focus of the Saints’ offseason has been on replacing veteran and future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, the defense needs bolstering also.
The Saints are in flux with 2020 defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Malcom Brown no longer on the roster.
Currently on the roster is a group of relatively inexperienced players in David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, and Malcolm Roach.
Onyemata is the most senior with five years in the league.
Sheldon Richardson could make an immediate impact with the Saints in both consistency and leadership.
Summary
Best landing spots for DT Sheldon Richardson:
1️⃣ Dallas Cowboys
2️⃣ Seattle Seahawks 👀
3️⃣ New Orleans Saints pic.twitter.com/cSAKgbfCUp— Phillip V. McGruder (@McGruderPmac) April 16, 2021
There are many more than these three teams that could immediately use and sign Sheldon Richardson; the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, and his former team, the Seattle Seahawks are also possibilities.
Money could be an issue as many teams are struggling with the reduced salary cap in 2021.
Richardson may need to take a pay cut from the $11 million he was expected to earn this season.
He will likely be sought after and signed before the NFL Draft begins on April 29.
NEXT: 2 Players In The NFL Draft That Could Help The Bucs In 2021