The Browns have reached an agreement with free agent cornerback E.J. Gaines, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link). It’s a one-year deal worth $4MM, while an additional $1MM is available via incentives, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com first reported Cleveland was nearing a deal with Gaines.
After ranking 27th in pass defense DVOA in 2017, Cleveland has overhauled its secondary this offseason. Not only did the Browns trade veteran Jason McCourty to the Patriots in exchange for pennies, but they’ve also signed free agents T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell to multi-year deals. With Gaines in tow, Cleveland will now have a bit of depth in a defensive backfield that also includes Jamar Taylor and Briean Boddy-Calhoun.
Heading into free agency, PFR ranked Gaines as the fourth-best cornerback on the market and the No. 18 free agent overall. While other corners such as Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, and Aaron Colvin quickly flew off the board, Gaines’ market took longer to develop. He wasn’t exactly wanting for interest, though, as the Jets, Cardinals, and Texans all expressed some level of intrigue in Gaines.
Gaines, 26, appeared in 11 games for the Bills a season ago after being traded as part of the Sammy Watkins deal. During that time, Gaines ranked 12th in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback grades and ninth in Football Outsiders’ success rate. A former sixth-round pick, Gaines has started 37 total games and posted three interceptions during his four-year NFL career.
With Gaines off the market, the free agent cornerback class is now comprised of options such as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Bashaud Breeland, Delvin Breaux, Dontae Johnson, and Jeremy Lane.
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Great move. Gaines and Taylor on the outside with Boddy-Calhoun and Carrie inside is a lot better than what they had last year, and that’s before the draft.
Yeppers! And with all the defensive free agents Dorsey has sign, it makes me wonder if he’s gonna go heavy on the offensive side during the draft.
Don’t forget the DB from the packers they traded for.
They are moving him to safety!
Heavy on offensive side? I understand there offense wasn’t good last year.. but:
Taylor, Hyde, Duke Johnson, Landry, Gordon, Coleman, Njoku
What do you want? Barkley and OT? I don’t see any draft pick dethroning a starter besides on the offensive line. I’d love browns trading out of one with bills and draft
1) Chubb
12) Ward
22) Conor Williams
33) Michel
Though this signing might mean they’re not interested in taking a corner in 1st round
I’d still be shocked if they don’t take a quarterback first overall. I don’t think they were ever going to take a corner in the first round even before this, but I could see them getting a potential starter (Isaiah Oliver?) in the beginning of the second, because it’s still a need but not nearly as much as it was.
I think they’re setting it up to go QB and Barkley, if he’s still available.
Browns look to be making good moves this year. Many good moves this year. It’s refreshing to see.