Considering the Steelers will look to add to their roster after cutdown day, here are five potential Browns cuts that could interest the Steelers.
They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and for NFL teams, this is never truer than during roster cutdowns. Every team has to release nearly half of their offseason roster, and there is a scramble from the other 31 teams to add some of these players to their active roster. The Steelers are no exception here, and in a year with so many questions on the roster, stealing a potential AFC North cut could yield dividends for the team.
I’ll be doing a short series on each team in the North to see who could aid the Steelers that are currently on their own respective roster bubbles. Adding a potential contributor from a rival team is even sweeter, as that player will have a chance to get some retribution twice a year. To start this off, here are five Browns players on their roster bubble that should interest the Steelers.
Steelers should target Weaver
While he has yet to do anything in the league after being on injured reserve his rookie season, Curtis Weaver was at one point a hot name in Steelers’ draft circles. The team had a clear need for an edge rusher in 2020, and Weaver was one of the most productive names in that year’s class. Athletic concerns caused him to fall to the fifth round, and Miami cut him before the Browns picked him up.
While the Steelers addressed their primary edge depth concerns by signing Melvin Ingram, the team could seek out a high upside fourth option to develop. Quincy Roche and Cassius Marsh are currently battling for that role, but the team could look to add someone else if neither impresses or if they want to keep a fifth edge rusher. As for the Browns, their edge group got really deep this offseason, so Weaver has quite to climb to make the team. If he ultimately gets cut, the Steelers should come calling.
Steelers should target Johnson
The only offensive player on this list, D’Ernest Johnson has been a valuable role player with a really incredible story. Cast off from the league and working as a deep-sea fisherman, the Browns ultimately gave Johnson a chance, and he turned into a decent backup running back. He flashes good speed despite not testing as a good athlete and can find running lanes when given the opportunity.
He only has 37 career carries, but he has averaged 5.1 yards per carry in that time. As well, he can serve as a returner if need be and has been an active special teams’ player on coverage units. That ability to be a multi-phase player gives him more value, especially considering what the Steelers need at running back. Najee Harris will take on the brunt of the rushing snaps, so having a good change of pace back that can serve a variety of roles works for a backup this season.
This does present a caveat though. On paper, Johnson and current Steelers back Anthony McFarland shares a lot of similarities, as both try to win with speed over power. McFarland is the far faster player, but if he can’t take the necessary steps forward, the team may have to look elsewhere. Johnson could fill that role while serving a variety of other jobs for the team, so if the Browns cut him, he should be squarely on the Steelers’ radar.
Steelers should target Stewart
A trend you will see with the next two players, the Browns had a lackluster secondary last year as they relied on a slew of young and inexperienced players to start. While as starters the group struggled (thus the heavy investment in their secondary this offseason), the Browns defense has some role players that should intrigue the Steelers. The first of them is versatile defensive back, M.J. Stewart.
Stewart joined the Browns last season after getting released from the Buccaneers. He never became a consistent defensive player (he only played 21 percent of the defensive snaps) but he was a regular on special teams and only allowed an 86.3 quarterback rating when he was targeted. He can play as a traditional safety or in the slot on defense, meaning that he could serve a variety of jobs for the Steelers if he were added.
Considering the questions, the Steelers still have at slot corner and in general defensive back depth, a player like Stewart could serve a similar role with the team this season. Considering he can be a regular special teams’ contributor as well; he would be valuable even when not on the defense. Circle his name though, as Stewart would be a versatile body that could garner some slot consideration if he were added.
Steelers should target Redwine
Another defensive back that makes a lot of sense, Sheldrick Redwine has been a regular contributor for the Browns over his first two seasons in the league. He’s started eight games in that timeframe at free safety and has proven to be a decent option when on the field. While the Browns are ready to move on from him after a slew of safety additions, Redwine would still be a great backup option.
The Steelers still seemingly aren’t content with their free safety depth as evident by their earlier interest in Malik Hooker. It seems like the team will bring their current backup options into camp to see what they have. If a player like Redwine gets cut due to the number of safeties being brought into the Browns camp though, it could result in him landing with the Steelers for depth.
A good free safety backup is key on any team. With a starter as talented as Minkah Fitzpatrick though, a better backup-free safety could end up allowing Fitzpatrick to serve a variety of different roles in the secondary. Redwine would be perfect in that role. Add in his great athleticism and you have a backup-free safety the Steelers should be all over.
Steelers should target Wilson
Easily the top name the team should be circling right now, Mack Wilson had a quick start to his career before cooling off a bit last season. He saw his defensive snaps plummet last season, going from 89 percent of the defensive snaps to just 35 percent last season. With the Browns drafting Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the second round of the draft though, it seems as though Mack could be out the door.
One of the hottest pieces on the Browns rumor mill is that Wilson will either be traded or released by the time the season begins. Considering just how well he played in his rookie season, this may come as a surprise, but he certainly seems to be on the outs with the Browns right now. The Steelers, meanwhile, could use another capable linebacker after the retirement of Vince Williams, and Wilson would certainly fill that void.
If the Browns release him, he would be a capable third linebacker that could push Robert Spillane for playing time. He would keep the Steelers defense deep and provide another special team’s body on coverage units. Wilson is young enough to continue developing as well. If he could harness some of the talent he showed as a rookie, he would be a great fit. If the Browns decide to cut ties with him, the Steelers should be the first ones to call.
While the Steelers will use training camp to assess their options on the roster, they need to be active in looking for potential cuts to add to their team. The Browns added a lot of new faces to their team, meaning some of their back-end players could be cut by the end of camp. These five Browns options could make their way to the Steelers if they are ultimately cut.