Browns 2021 Off-Season Thread

[CBBI]

Interesting. Didn't look at OTC, looked at Spotrac. They wrote Higgins' salary differently on the cap analysis. After a deeper dig, OTC has the more accurate numbers.

Cleveland Browns 2022 Salary Cap

Cleveland Browns 2022 salary cap, contracts, cap figures, salaries, free agents, and transactions, including bonus breakdowns, team payrolls and more.

www.spotrac.com

Appreciate the check!

I learned something new about this whole thing as well.

Higgins is taking up less money on the Browns cap sheet in 2021 than Hodge, despite getting paid more in actual cash. Spotrac's numbers are correct and here's why.

Much like the NBA, the NFL incentivizes teams to sign veteran players over younger (and less expensive) players by charging less on the team's salary cap even though the player is getting more actual cash in hand than the minimum.

In Higgins' case specifically, he was eligible for the Four-year qualifying contract.

Four-year qualifying contract: Another type of veteran salary benefit, it can be offered to a player with at least four credited seasons whose contract with a team has expired after being on said team for four or more consecutive, uninterrupted league years prior to his contract expiring. Such a player must have been on the team’s 90-man active/inactive list for said seasons (and every regular-season and postseason game). Teams can sign a maximum of two eligible players to this type of salary benefit.

A qualifying contract under this benefit is a one-year deal with a base salary of up to $1.25 million more (set to increase in 2022) than the minimum base salary for said player. However, if a team does sign two players to a qualifying contract, it can only give a combined $1.25 million in additional base salary between the two deals. Under such agreements, only the applicable minimum base salary (not the $1.25 million benefit) is charged against the salary cap.

So because Higgins had played with the same team for 4 years, but was out of contract as an unrestricted free agent, the Browns could pay him 1.25M more than their actual salary cap sheet would be charged, which is exactly what they did.

Higgins signed a 1-year deal worth $2,377,500. But the Browns cap hit is actually only $1,127,500 because Higgins was eligible for the veteran salary benefit.

 

[CBBI]

I learned something new about this whole thing as well.

Higgins is taking up less money on the Browns cap sheet in 2021 than Hodge, despite getting paid more in actual cash. Spotrac's numbers are correct and here's why.

Much like the NBA, the NFL incentivizes teams to sign veteran players over younger (and less expensive) players by charging less on the team's salary cap even though the player is getting more actual cash in hand than the minimum.

In Higgins' case specifically, he was eligible for the Four-year qualifying contract.

Four-year qualifying contract: Another type of veteran salary benefit, it can be offered to a player with at least four credited seasons whose contract with a team has expired after being on said team for four or more consecutive, uninterrupted league years prior to his contract expiring. Such a player must have been on the team’s 90-man active/inactive list for said seasons (and every regular-season and postseason game). Teams can sign a maximum of two eligible players to this type of salary benefit.

A qualifying contract under this benefit is a one-year deal with a base salary of up to $1.25 million more (set to increase in 2022) than the minimum base salary for said player. However, if a team does sign two players to a qualifying contract, it can only give a combined $1.25 million in additional base salary between the two deals. Under such agreements, only the applicable minimum base salary (not the $1.25 million benefit) is charged against the salary cap.

So because Higgins had played with the same team for 4 years, but was out of contract as an unrestricted free agent, the Browns could pay him 1.25M more than their actual salary cap sheet would be charged, which is exactly what they did.

Higgins signed a 1-year deal worth $2,377,500. But the Browns cap hit is actually only $1,127,500 because Higgins was eligible for the veteran salary benefit.

I believe David Njoku will be eligible for this same benefit next offseason, although he'll likely be signing for much more than the league minimum.

 

[MikeOC33]

CBBI, that is some great intel, which you rarely see from media types. You, and MANY others including those who "liked" your post, is why this forum is so great for the amazing content, insight, and conversation you provide for all sports local. Thank you.

 

[Binkster]

Personally, I think he does everything Landry does on the field but better and cheaper.

I was with you until this point. He’s solid but let’s not get carried away. They have similar skill sets but he’s not better than Landry and it’s really not close.

 

[Lee]

Oh gosh no Schwartz isn't going to get cut as a 3rd round pick, that certainly isn't going to happen. It's just hard to know how far behind the curve he is having missed essentially all of training camp up to this point.

That said, I definitely don't think the Browns are facing a "Schwartz or Higgins, one must go" scenario either.

Last year they opened the season keeping 6 WRs and I think they'll match that again this season.

It's unfortunate that Carlson got injured, but I think the roster adjustment is going to be to not keep a 4th TE and instead keep Felton as multi-purpose weapon (RB4, Backup Slot WR, PR) on top of 6 traditional WRs with Natson being the odd man out.

Assuming Beckham can go 100% full bore in Week 1

2 WR sets
X: Beckham -> Peoples-Jones -> Hodge
Z: Landry -> Higgins -> Schwartz (this may change as Schwartz gets more acclimated)

3 WR sets
X: Beckham -> DPJ -> Hodge
Z: Higgins -> Schwartz
SLOT: Landry -> Felton

The million dollar question for me right now is who plays Z when the Browns are in 11 personnel and Landry slides into the slot.

DPJ has by all accounts had a tremendous camp, but if I'm reading the reports right, he's pretty much exclusively worked as the primary/starting X with Beckham not doing team drills.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe last year Higgins also primarily worked as the starting X last year after Beckham went down.

I personally think the Z should be Higgins, but I could see it being DPJ too. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

Last year the Browns kept 5 TE's, 1 Fullback and 6 WR's. I mention the Fullback because often teams have Hybrid TE/FB although the Browns dont have anyone of that sort.

We kept both Pharaoh Brown and Carlson last year, surely we are keeping atleast 4 TE's if we kept 5 last year. I think Jordan Franks has a legit shot at making the roster although Connor Davis is enormous and might be kept as a blocking tight end as we have 3 good receiving tightends although both Njoku and Hooper are decent blockers.

Receiver is a bit tougher, but lets assume Felton is a WR and we keep the same 3 backs, and we keep 7 WR's. OBJ, Landry, DPJ, Schwartz, Higgins, Felton and Hodge. Maybe Schwartz to the IR and Davis makes the team leaving Jo Jo and Bradley both off the roster which shows our depth for sure.


I think this year we adjust roster and keep one less TE and one more WR. Ofcourse we could move the extra TE spot to the OL, DL or even SB. Do we keep 6 LB's again? Walker, JOK, Phillips, Wilson, then it gets dicey, Fields? Takitaki? Smith? Lee? Only having Wilson in based on training camp, before camp i had him bubble.

10 DBs again? One less LB one more DB? What a crazy problem, we are cutting some true NFL level talent, that hasnt happened since the early 90's

 

[CBBI]

Last year the Browns kept 5 TE's, 1 Fullback and 6 WR's. I mention the Fullback because often teams have Hybrid TE/FB although the Browns dont have anyone of that sort.

We kept both Pharaoh Brown and Carlson last year, surely we are keeping atleast 4 TE's if we kept 5 last year. I think Jordan Franks has a legit shot at making the roster although Connor Davis is enormous and might be kept as a blocking tight end as we have 3 good receiving tightends although both Njoku and Hooper are decent blockers.

Receiver is a bit tougher, but lets assume Felton is a WR and we keep the same 3 backs, and we keep 7 WR's. OBJ, Landry, DPJ, Schwartz, Higgins, Felton and Hodge. Maybe Schwartz to the IR and Davis makes the team leaving Jo Jo and Bradley both off the roster which shows our depth for sure.

I think this year we adjust roster and keep one less TE and one more WR. Ofcourse we could move the extra TE spot to the OL, DL or even SB. Do we keep 6 LB's again? Walker, JOK, Phillips, Wilson, then it gets dicey, Fields? Takitaki? Smith? Lee? Only having Wilson in based on training camp, before camp i had him bubble.

10 DBs again? One less LB one more DB? What a crazy problem, we are cutting some true NFL level talent, that hasnt happened since the early 90's

This is not accurate.

Pharaoh Brown was on the Browns in 2019 under Kitchens, not in 2020 under Stefanski. He got waived in final cuts in 2020 and never played a game.

Week 1 last year against Baltimore the Browns depth chart was...

2 QB
3 RB
1 FB
4 TE
6 WR
9 OL

3 ST

9 DL
6 LB
6 CB
4 S

Njoku got injured in week 1 and went on IR. They did not replace him with a 4th TE. They elevated a 7th LB. When Njoku came back in week 5, they went back to 4 TEs for the rest of the season.

Natson got injured in week 3 and they did not replace him with a 6th WR either. They elevated a 7th CB. Later when Hodge got injured and went on IR and they were down to 4 healthy WRs, they signed a 5th WR, but I'm almost positive they never went back to 6 WRs after week 3. Hodge came back right when Beckham went out for the season.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Carlson might have played goal line blocking tight end, but he was key to special teams and blocking for the kicking game. Mike Priefer has a lot of say on those last few roster spots.

I tend to believe they could comb the waiver wire for a blocking tight end before week one. We will see!

 

[sportscoach]

From reading all you guys had to say, it sounds like our last offensive guy, should be one who could make most of the other NFL teams without any problem... That I don't mind at all.

Bryant has been a guy who was used at FB, TE and out in a WR slot a few times last season. I am pretty sure they will keep flexing him around depending on the packages.

Carlson might have played goal line blocking tight end, but he was key to special teams and blocking for the kicking game. Mike Priefer has a lot of say on those last few roster spots.

I tend to believe they could comb the waiver wire for a blocking tight end before week one. We will see!

Do you see anyone else on the current roster that could replace Carlson on paper? Special teams isn't something the more casual fans see when it comes to building a team. I blame that on Madden since they don't do a very good job of actually explaining how special teams actually works... @Jordan maybe one of the writers can explain the process of selecting and positions that matter on special teams for the guys who don't know it well (aka a guy like me)

 

[Lee]

This is not accurate.

Pharaoh Brown was on the Browns in 2019 under Kitchens, not in 2020 under Stefanski. He got waived in final cuts in 2020 and never played a game.

Week 1 last year against Baltimore the Browns depth chart was...

2 QB
3 RB
1 FB
4 TE
6 WR
9 OL

3 ST

9 DL
6 LB
6 CB
4 S

Njoku got injured in week 1 and went on IR. They did not replace him with a 4th TE. They elevated a 7th LB. When Njoku came back in week 5, they went back to 4 TEs for the rest of the season.

Natson got injured in week 3 and they did not replace him with a 6th WR either. They elevated a 7th CB. Later when Hodge got injured and went on IR and they were down to 4 healthy WRs, they signed a 5th WR, but I'm almost positive they never went back to 6 WRs after week 3. Hodge came back right when Beckham went out for the season.

I stand very corrected

 

[Marcus]

What a difference a year makes.

 

[prf100]

What a difference a year makes.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Njoku can do this year. He's got every reason to play well.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Just one WR going on IR may solve some problems, especially given that the IR rules are more relaxed. It's incredibly unlikely that all of these guys would be healthy for the entire season anyway.

 

[Lee]

What a difference a year makes.

Its so weird, i mean what could be different in a year that would want a football player to suddenly stay in Cleveland....Let me think here, what could it be?

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Its so weird, i mean what could be different in a year that would want a football player to suddenly stay in Cleveland....Let me think here, what could it be?

Just from the way I've heard players speak -- and that's admittedly one step removed from yanking it out of my ass -- I think Berry is well-respected and liked by most of the players. That kind of thing can make a difference - at least on the margins. Njoku probably also has figure out that the TE1 job is very likely his next year when Hooper is gone.

 

[Jack Brickman]

Just from the way I've heard players speak -- and that's admittedly one step removed from yanking it out of my ass -- I think Berry is well-respected and liked by most of the players. That kind of thing can make a difference - at least on the margins. Njoku probably also has figure out that the TE1 job is very likely his next year when Hooper is gone.

Clowney flat out said that it was his meeting with Berry that made him want to sign here.