Jadeveon Clowney odds: Browns likely out of running for free-agent end, but Raiders suddenly in
The Cleveland Browns may now be out of the running for free-agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, but he has a new suitor.
loading...
loading...
The Cleveland Browns made news regarding a former Pro Bowl defensive end Tuesday, but it likely wasn't the news that most Browns fans were hoping for. The team reworked the contract of Olivier Vernon that fully guarantees him $11 million this year with another potential $2 million in incentives. That likely means the Browns will no longer pursue former Seahawks and Texans end Jadeveon Clowney because that Vernon money essentially would have been earmarked for the ex-No. 1 overall pick.
Vernon, who was part of the Odell Beckham trade with the Giants before the 2019 season, was previously set to make $15.25 million non-guaranteed this season in the final year of his contract. This new contract stipulates the Browns can't use a franchise or transition tag on Vernon after the season when he'll be scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
Vernon played in 10 games a year ago and had a career-low-tying 3.5 sacks. He tied for 35th among edge defenders in pass-rush productivity, according to Pro Football Focus.
There's only so much a team can tie up at one position, so it's hard to envision a scenario where the Browns now pay Clowney some $17 million this season after giving Vernon all that guaranteed money and already having signed free-agent end Adrian Clayborn.
There had been some talk that Cleveland was going to release Vernon if it signed Clowney. The team also is trying to lock up another former No. 1 overall pick and defensive end, Myles Garrett, to a long-term extension. The Vernon restructure saves the Browns $4.5 million against the salary cap in 2020. Trading tight end David Njoku, who has requested one, would free up more money.
Expect Clowney to sign somewhere fairly soon (he can't really use the Browns as leverage any longer) with teams set to report to training camp – coronavirus willing – on July 28. Not long ago, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who was previously Clowney's defensive coordinator in Houston, was asked about Tennessee signing Clowney
"Sure, sure. (GM Jon Robinson) and I are trying to do everything that we can to improve our team. A player of his caliber would certainly probably do that, so we'll continue to talk," Vrabel said late last month. Robinson said this week he wants to see Clowney in person (i.e. healthy) before making any move.
One team added to this list since the last odds posting is the Las Vegas Raiders, who have extended an offer. Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed, who cover the Raiders for The Athletic, both reported it and that Jon Gruden really wants it to happen. However, GM Mike Mayock and owner Mark Davis aren't as eager. The Raiders had just 32 sacks as a team last year, tied for the eighth-fewest in the NFL. Everson Griffen could be a cheaper alternative to Clowney. Las Vegas only has about $8 million in salary-cap space.
Via SportsLine NFL oddsmakers: Which team will sign free-agent Jadeveon Clowney?
WHICH 2020 FANTASY FOOTBALL SLEEPER SHOULD YOU SNATCH IN YOUR DRAFT? AND WHICH WR1 CANDIDATE CAN YOU WAIT ON UNTIL LATE? JOIN SPORTSLINE NOW TO GET 2020 FANTASY FOOTBALL CHEAT SHEETS FROM THE MODEL THAT WAS ALL OVER DERRICK HENRY'S HUGE SEASON, AND FIND OUT.