NFL News and Notes - Free Agency Updates

Cleveland Browns Continue to Build Defense:

Defensive Tackle Malik Jackson has signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. With this signing, Jackson will be entering his 10th year in the NFL. This move also helps the Brown take a retooled defensive line into the 2021 season. 

In 2020, Jackson registered 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks over 15 games with the Philadelphia Eagles. Jackson has also appeared in 126 games, including 73 starts, dating back to his rookie season in 2012. Jackson was also part of the Denver Broncos 2015 Super Bowl team when he scored the first touchdown in Super Bowl 50 by falling on a fumble in the end zone during the first quarter. 

Week 1 of Free Agency Review for the Browns:

The Cleveland Browns have been very busy over the first week of free agency. They have added six new players to their roster and also retained five of their free agents. This is a group that has included five defensive players. 

These additions include Defensive end Takkarist McKinley, defensive tackle Malik Jackson, linebacker Anthony Walker, cornerback Troy Hill, safety John Johnson III, and tackle Greg Senat. Free agents that the Browns have kept are WR Rashard Higgins, LB Malcolm Smith, WR JoJo Natson, K Cody Parkey, and LB Elijah Lee.

There are still several talented players that remain on the market that are looking for a team to call home, and you can bet on many of them making an impact somewhere this coming season.

Bengals Looking to Build on Defense:

The Bengals are looking at the NFL Draft to fill their defensive tackle spot on defense. To do that, the Bengals attended the LA Tech pro day to watch Milton Williams. 

Williams is a 22-year old native of Crowley, Texas, and a three-year player for Louisiana Tech. Williams got everyone's attention at the LA Tech pro day with his numbers and times. Here is a list of those numbers and times.

Vertical jump: 39, Broad Jump: 121, Bench: 34, 40-yard: 4.62, Short shuttle: 4.25, and 3-cone: 6.87. 

With these numbers, the Bengals have shown interest in trying to pick up Williams early in the draft. The Bengals are known to use the third and fourth rounds to build their defensive line. So it would make a lot of sense to select Williams in the third round.

Perine Stays a Bengal:

Samaje Perine has re-signed with the Bengals for a two-year contract through the 2022 season. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. This will be Perine’s 5th year in the NFL, where he was originally a fourth-round pick by the Washington Football Team and became a Bengal in 2019. He also had a brief stay in Miami in late 2019 and then re-acquired by Cincinnati last April. 

Last Season, Perine played all 16 games, including one start. Perine rushed 63 times for 301 years (4.8 avg) and 3 touchdowns. 

Re-signing Perine will make sure that the Bengals will be able to have options at the running game. 

Other Free Agency News

32-year-old pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan visited the Cincinnati Bengals on March 24th. The Washington Football Team is also interested in trying to retain Kerrigan since he has spent his entire 10-year career with Washington. 

The New York Jets have signed defensive end Vinny Curry to a one-year deal with $1.3 million in base salary, with $1.075 million fully guaranteed and $700,000 in incentives. 

The Green Bay Packers have re-signed tight end Marcedes Lewis to a two-year, $8 million deal that includes $2.1 million guaranteed. 

The Cleveland Browns are hosting free-agent pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney on a visit. 

Free-agent pass rusher Melvin Ingram and the Chiefs could not come to terms on a deal following his visit. 

The Chicago Bears agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former running back Damien Williams.