AFC North Update
The Cleveland Browns have added a pair of veterans in cornerback Tramon Williams and defensive lineman Randy Starks. Williams has agreed to a 3-year $21 million deal and Starks to a 2-year contract worth roughly $8 million. With the loss of Buster Skrine via free agency and the team’s concerns with 2014 first round pick Justin Gilbert, the 32-year-old Williams should slide into the starting lineup pairing with Joe Haden at corner. Starks, graded out poorly against the run last season according to ProFootballFocus but the 31-year-old can still push the pocket as a pass rusher. Depending on what the Browns do in the draft Starks could end up a mainstay in the Browns’ starting down line or used predominantly as a situational pass rusher from the interior. Both signings are solid but we’d like these acquisitions much more if the Browns were expected to contend. Cleveland’s futility has centered around instability in the front office and among the coaching staff and the inability to draft and develop their own players. Signing a couple of veterans who are on the back end of their careers isn’t ideal for the Browns.
