The Browns will take a flier on a former first-round pick. Ex-Jaguars top draft choice Taven Bryan will switch AFC employers, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets.
Cleveland is adding the fifth-year defensive tackle on a one-year deal worth up to $5MM. Bryan did not catch on in Jacksonville but will have an opportunity to rebound as a depth piece in Ohio.
Despite housing a host of quality D-linemen in 2018, the Jags drafted Bryan 29th overall. The Florida product managed to start 17 games, mostly during the 2019 and ’20 seasons, but did not see his fifth-year option picked up and was used strictly as a rotational player last season. Bryan registered two sacks and eight QB hits as a backup in 2021.
The Browns have some issues to sort out at defensive tackle. Malik Jackson, who was ahead of Bryan on the 2018 Jags’ depth chart, is a free agent. Malik McDowell, who surprised by moving into the Browns’ starting lineup last season, is not expected back after an offseason arrest. McDowell’s departure is not yet official. The Browns can tender him as an exclusive rights free agent.