NFL News and Notes for March 29

Browns smartest offseason move so far

The Cleveland Browns have been very busy trying to rebuild their defense, but which move is the best move so far.

The biggest move is signing safety John Johnson to a three-year deal worth $33.75 million. This signing has upgraded the back end of the secondary. Johnson spent some time in the Rams defense but now will work over in Cleveland.

It was smart to go with a young playmaking safety rather than an older veteran such as a 29-year-old Anthony Harris. Johnson is only 25 and can be a long-term member of the resurgent Browns.

The Browns have also signed CB Troy Hill, DT Malik Jackson, and DE Takk McKinley.

Browns move on from Trevon Young

Defensive end Trevon Young was on the injured reserve list for the whole 2020 season, and it doesn’t look like he will be playing for the Browns in the 2021 season either. The Cleveland Browns have waived Young off the roster on Friday {3/26/2021}.

Young joined the practice squad late in the 2019 season and then signed a reserve/future contract for the 2020 season. In July of 2020, Young was waived with an injury and reverted to the injured reserve list.

Young was a sixth-round pick for the Rams in 2018 and only appeared in two games. Young did not record a tackle, but did recover one fumble, but failed to make the team the next year. 

More Defense for the Bengals

It is always said that defense wins championships. That is what the Bengals are trying to do by re-signing LB Jordan Evans. The Bengals and Evans agreed to a one-year deal.

Evans was originally a sixth-round draft pick of the Bengals in 2017. In the last four years, Evans has played 60 games (nine starts), with 78 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven passes defended, and two interceptions.

Even though Evans has only played 961 snaps on defense, he has played 1,058 snaps on special teams and has established himself as one of their best players in that unit.

Now that Evans is 26, he finds himself returning back to the linebacker corp with former third-round picks Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson.

Could the Bengals be Making a Trade?

The Bengals could have an interesting trade chip in running back Giovani Bernard.

Bernard, alongside C.J. Uzomah, has been brought up as a long-shot trade because of the cap space the moves would create. There is now a rumor that has been put out that the Bengals have been taking trade calls on Bernard.

There are a few teams that would make sense for Bernard to go to. Those teams would be Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and The 49ers.

The fact a report came out saying teams are calling, suggesting other teams think he’ll eventually be cut, this is bad news for Bernard’s trade value. Another incoming draft class, plus a solid free-agent class still featuring names like Todd Gurley and James Conner, could mean teams don’t want to trade for Bernard’s $4.8 million cap hit. Cutting or trading Bernard will save the Bengals roughly $4.2 million in space, so that’s the likely avenue here.

Other Offseason News

Chiefs sign former Seahawks DT Jarran Reed to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million.

Dolphins acquire No. 6 pick 2021 draft from Eagles for No. 12 Pick, 2022 first-rounder

49ers acquire No. 3 overall pick from Dolphins. Miami gets No. 12 pick, and two future first-round picks.