The Cleveland Browns have come to an agreement with free agent defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson on a three-year $36 million deal.
The Cleveland Browns defensive line just got better. After acquiring Olivier Vernon over the weekend the team agreed to a deal with Sheldon Richardson. The free agent defensive tackle will sign a three-year $36 million deal.
Over six seasons Richardson has been one of the better defensive tackles in the league. Even though he is a defensive tackle, he has shown the ability to sack the quarterback at times, with a career-high eight sacks in 2014. Over his career Sheldon Richardson has accumulated 333 total tackles, 49 of which have gone for a loss. Cleveland’s defensive line has vastly improved with the addition of Richardson.
With Richardson now in the fold, the Browns have an incredibly stout defensive line. Richardson will line-up next to Larry Ogunjobi in the middle with Myles Garrett and Olivier Vernon on the outside. Opposing teams will now have to pick their poison rather than focusing in on Garrett and Ogunjobi. It will no longer be as simple as just blocking one or two guys, any one of the four lineman will be able to disrupt plays in the backfield.
The addition of Richardson also makes the draft plans a bit more clearer. Defensive tackle is no longer an immediate need. A glaring hole on the defensive side of the ball has now been taken care of and Cleveland can address other more pressing needs, such as the linebacker position.
John Dorsey continues to make improvements to the Browns defense. This is a unit that needs to dramatically improve if Cleveland wishes to contend this season and in the future. More moves will be coming. It is just a matter of time before they happen and everyone finds out what they are.
