By signing Jadeveon Clowney, the Cleveland Browns scored one of the NFL‘s best free agent defensive ends.
Clowney is 28 years old and has played in 83 career regular season games.
He was the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
The high point in his career was playing opposite J.J. Watt with the Houston Texans so it is understandable that Browns fans can’t wait to see him line up opposite Myles Garrett, the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
There are mixed opinions about Clowney, but he is definitely not overrated.
Turn on any highlight tape of Browns new defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and you’ll see him sacking the quarterback, tossing down running backs, batting down passes and forcing fumbles. https://t.co/tIB7giBZ9t
— clevelanddotcom (@clevelanddotcom) April 14, 2021
The Browns are paying a great player what he is worth and putting him in a system with players that should produce success.
Here are three he reasons why he is not overrated.
1. His Statistics Are Impressive.
He played five seasons (2014-2018) with the Texans before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks for the 2019 season.
Clowney signed a one year deal with the Titans for 2020, but it was an injury-shortened season because he hurt his knee and only played 8 games.
During his 6 1/2 seasons, he has 186 solo tackles and 86 quarterback hits.
He is a three time Pro Bowler from 2016-2018.
While with the Seahawks, he scored his one and only Pick 6.
One-handed pick 6 for Jadeveon Clowney.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) September 29, 2019
2. The Browns Did Not Overpay Him.
He is a great player, but what makes players overrated is that they tend to be overpaid.
The Browns did not do that.
His one year contract is worth up to $10 million with incentives.
Base pay is $8 million.
The Titans paid Clowney $13 million in 2020.
JJ Watt, also a great player, but nearly 33 years of age, got a two year $28 million deal from the Arizona Cardinals.
3. His Skill Set Complements The Browns.
Both Browns GM Andrew Berry and Coach Kevin Stefanski call Clowney’s style of play “disruptive” which is exactly what the Browns are looking for opposite Myles Garrett.
Interestingly enough, the Browns have been pursuing Clowney for years; many thought Cleveland would sign him in 2020.
“We love his relentless style of play. He’s one of the more disruptive players in the game and we think he’s going to add an element of ruggedness along our defensive line and will pair nicely with many of the guys we have on the roster already. The other thing we love about Jadeveon is his versatility, his ability to play all across the front and impact the game regardless of his alignment….Jadeveon’s play-to-play impact on the game, whether it’s the run game as a rusher, lined up as a three-technique or lined up as an end, is something we really value. … We think he’ll really be beneficial for us in our defensive system.”
The Browns are putting together a roster that looks to be a force to reckon with.
In addition to the two first overall picks, the Browns added Takk McKinley, also a first rounder in the 2017 NFL Draft (26th overall) for depth at the defensive end position, something the Browns lacked in previous seasons.
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