After spending the last two seasons bouncing between the Titans and the Seahawks, Browns pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney is now enjoying his best campaign since he played for the Texans. Given that he’s no stranger to free agency, what kind of market will Clowney have when the new NFL league year begins in 2022? Will the Browns re-sign the veteran defensive lineman, and if not, where are Clowney’s potential landing spots?
Jadeveon Clowney free agent stock
While he has never quite lived up to his draft billing after being selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Clowney is still an incredibly versatile and productive defensive lineman. He’s only posted 37 sacks through eight seasons, but that doesn’t tell the full story. Now entering his age-29 campaign, Clowney has put up plenty of pressures. He’s also one of the league’s best run defenders.
After inking a one-year, $8 million deal with the Browns last offseason, Clowney has appeared in 12 games, managing 5 sacks and 24 pressures in that time. There’s no question he’s benefitted from playing opposite perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett. But Clowney offers the ability to line up in multiple spots along a defensive front, which can be critical for creative defensive coordinators.
Clowney’s annual salary has decreased over each of the past three years. He signed a $15 million franchise tag with the Texans in 2019 before being traded to the Seahawks. In 2020, Clowney agreed to a one-year, $13 million pact with the Titans. After succeeding in Cleveland for $8 million, he should garner a similar contract heading into 2022.
Clowney isn’t afraid to take one-year deals, and he’s become something of an edge-rushing mercenary because of his willingness to bet on himself. He’s probably no longer a true No. 1 pass rusher at this point in his career (if he ever was). Nevertheless, Clowney could benefit quite a few teams in need of a dependable complementary defensive end.
Jadeveon Clowney landing spots
Clowney recently told reporters that he has yet to discuss an extension with Cleveland. If the Browns don’t re-sign him, what other clubs could have interest in Clowney?
The Los Angeles Chargers need a pass-rushing partner for Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. He’s also one of the highest-paid. Given that the Chargers are already spending $27.5 million annually on Bosa, they can’t really afford to pay another high-priced veteran. Yet, given their recent — and likely, future — success, Los Angeles will presumably be picking near the end of drafts for the foreseeable future. That’s not a good place to find a dynamic pass rusher.
Instead, the Chargers should target mid-priced veteran additions like Clowney. Even if LA re-signs Uchenna Nwosu (who’s in the midst of a mild breakout campaign), they could still use another option along their front seven. Head coach Brandon Staley is likely to continue to employ a two-high safety defense, so the Chargers need defenders up front who are capable of stopping the run without extra help. Clowney is just that.
The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t afraid to spend on free agent defenders
The Bengals’ team-building strategy should be apparent by now — draft an offense and buy a defense. Cincinnati has used its early draft selections on players like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Jonah Williams, ensuring that they’ll be able to score points for seasons on end. But on defense, they’ve signed veterans such as D.J. Reader, Trey Hendrickson, Chidobe Awuzie, Mike Hilton, and Vonn Bell.
At defensive end, the Bengals have Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard under contract through 2024. But Hubbard is probably best served as a rotational or No. 3 option. If Cincinnati afforded him the opportunity to split snaps with Clowney, Hubbard would likely be more effective. With an MVP candidate like Burrow in tow, the Bengals have shown a willingness to open their pocketbooks for the first time in years. Clowney could be the next addition to an already solid Bengals defensive depth chart.
Could the New England Patriots deploy Clowney in a variety of ways?
The Patriots value versatility perhaps more than any team in the NFL. And even after spending a ton of money in the 2021 free-agent market, they’re still expected to have nearly $30 million available in 2022. New England already boasts one of the best defenses in the NFL, but Clowney could add another element up front.
Historically, Bill Belichick doesn’t use cap space on true No. 1 pass rushers. Instead, he prefers to spend money on the secondary and fill New England’s defensive line with run-stuffers capable of filling gaps and staying true to their responsibilities. Clowney fits that criteria. He’d give the Patriots a menace along their defensive line. Plus, he’s unlikely to break the bank in a way that would dissuade him from Belichick’s consideration.
Clowney could be the Baltimore Ravens’ archetypical veteran addition
Because they place a priority on compensatory draft picks, the Ravens aren’t always players in the free-agent market. But when they do decide to bring in external players, they typically add experienced veterans with a lot of playing time under their belt. Over the past three seasons, Baltimore has signed defensive free agents like Earl Thomas, Derek Wolfe, Justin Ellis, Jihad Ward, and Justin Houston.
Not all of those additions have worked out (notably Thomas). But the Ravens and general manager Eric DeCosta seem willing to sign players that will make a specific impact. Improving a depleted secondary should probably be the first item on Baltimore’s offseason checklist. However, if Clowney’s price drops far enough, he’d make for an excellent ancillary piece alongside Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, and Justin Madubuike.
The New York Jets need all the edge-rushing help they can get
At this point in his career, I’m not sure Clowney would want to join a rebuilding team like the Jets. The rest of the teams on this list are expected to contend in 2022. Nevertheless, the Jets require defensive help in the worst way. They could potentially overspend to bring in a player like Clowney.
New York’s pressure rate of 20.9% ranks seventh-worst in the NFL. Gang Green should get 2021 free-agent addition Carl Lawson back next season after he missed his inaugural campaign with the franchise due to a torn Achilles. But with nearly $50 million in available cap space, New York could add another option. If Clowney is willing to play for a non-contender in exchange for a higher salary, the Jets could make sense as a landing spot.