Cleveland Browns fans were always disjointed when they saw Ohio State players get drafted by division rivals like the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Browns seemed never to want to touch one.
NFL free agency is coming next week, and the Browns could bring in a player who knows a lot about playing football in Ohio.
Chase Young Coming Back To The Buckeye State?
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot wrote a column earlier in the week that was titled 3 big-name defensive linemen that might pique the Browns’ interest if they hit the free agent market.
One of the names mentioned was San Francisco 49ers defensive end Chase Young. Many Browns fans who are also Buckeye fans should remember Young wrecking defenses in 2019 and becoming a Heisman Finalist.
Washington took Young second overall in the 2020 draft but has yet to emerge as one of the elite pass rushers he was supposed to be. Young battled injuries in his first couple of seasons, so that had to hold him back, but at last year’s trade deadline, he was sent packing to the 49ers, where he would help bring them to a Super Bowl appearance.
Browns Need A Second Pass Rusher
According to spotrac.com, Young is valued at 13 million dollars per season. Unlike Browns free agent pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, Spotrac has him valued at 12.4 million annually.
Smith is 31 years old and past his prime, while Young will be 25 this season and has many years ahead of him.
Young could help take pressure off Myles Garrett, who is constantly double- and triple-teamed because he is the best pass rusher in the game.
The Browns will be in the market for a second defensive end this offseason. If they don’t bring Smith back, they should sign Young and let him work with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who is very good at getting the most out of his defensive line.
Returning to the state where Young dominated college could get his NFL career back on track. The Browns need help on the defensive line, and Cleveland could help Young get to where he wants to be as an NFL player.