The Browns didn't have a wild offseason thus far, but the team remains mostly intact as it prepares for the 2024 NFL season.
A slew of six picks in the draft following a free agency that included a trade for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and retaining key players like edge rusher Za'Darius Smith and defensive lineman Shelby Harris provided a favorable outlook for the Browns' 2024 season. The team will look to return to the postseason, this time with a healthy Deshaun Watson and hopefully a healthy Nick Chubb out of the backfield.
BROWNS 2024 NFL DRAFT: Expert grades | Superlatives
There is still time before the season, though, and some cap space the Browns can use to upgraded at various positions.
Here’s a look at the Browns’ 2024 post-draft cap space.
Browns salary cap post-2024 NFL Draft
The Browns rank 18th in cap space with around $13.5 million per Over The Cap. Cleveland also ranks 16th in effective cap space with $12.67 million. The effective cap number is what the Browns will most likely have after the team signs its 2024 NFL Draft class.
Here’s the complete breakdown from OverTheCap on each team’s cap space and effective salary cap space.
| Team | Cap Space | Effective Cap Space |
|---|---|---|
| Patriots | $50,781,659 | $43,100,745 |
| Commanders | $43,437,115 | $34,534,877 |
| Jaguars | $34,231,736 | $30,866,651 |
| Titans | $30,836,098 | $25,566,201 |
| Chargers | $30,661,002 | $23,608,259 |
| Cardinals | $29,322,545 | $19,586,636 |
| Colts | $28,412,296 | $24,784,954 |
| Eagles | $28,176,857 | $24,651,262 |
| Lions | $26,008,308 | $23,416,428 |
| Texans | $23,670,426 | $21,811,555 |
| Bengals | $23,362,449 | $19,824,748 |
| Bears | $22,814,788 | $12,539,188 |
| Raiders | $22,566,943 | $18,612,800 |
| Packers | $21,699,437 | $17,821,402 |
| Chiefs | $20,157,377 | $17,635,078 |
| Steelers | $18,345,353 | $15,062,351 |
| Vikings | $16,672,244 | $11,062,173 |
| Broncos | $15,174,810 | $11,881,339 |
| Browns | $13,583,574 | $12,673,713 |
| Rams | $11,476,513 | $7,876,454 |
| Jets | $9,190,213 | $5,080,415 |
| Panthers | $8,082,458 | $5,528,084 |
| Saints | $7,780,455 | $4,270,748 |
| Ravens | $7,231,042 | $4,558,494 |
| 49ers | $6,391,025 | $3,753,942 |
| Cowboys | $6,296,988 | $3,581,386 |
| Falcons | $5,709,099 | $617,103 |
| Giants | $5,447,378 | -$384,645) |
| Dolphins | $2,916,052 | $138,778 |
| Bills | $2,898,830 | $723,481 |
| Seahawks | $1,616,170 | -$1,390,018 |
| Buccaneers | $390,599 | -$2,281,553 |
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5 free agents Browns could sign post-2024 NFL Draft
The Browns have the money to make some moves in the waning months of free agency. Cleveland did a solid job of improving positions of need on both sides of the ball, but there is always room for improvement. The Browns don't have any glaring weaknesses, either, but there are some serious depth concerns.
Here are five free agents the Brown could sign before the 2024 season.
OL Dalton Risner
The Browns endured a plethora of injuries to the offensive line in 2023 and can use as much depth as possible. Third-rounder Zak Zinter is a projected backup, but it's unclear if he'll be ready for the season after his late-season leg injury. Risner would give the Browns a solid stop-gap at the position and quality insurance for their guards in 2024.
CB Adoree' Jackson
Jackson shouldn't be expected to be a lockdown cornerback anymore, and he wouldn't need to be for Cleveland. The Browns have almost no depth at cornerback after their starting trio of Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson and Greg Newsome. That was a problem in 2023 but it doesn't have to be in 2024.
TE Logan Thomas
David Njoku is a great starting tight end, but the Browns need a secondary option to spell him on plays. Jordan Akins isn't a great option, either. Thomas has veteran experience and is great in the red zone. He would be helpful addition.
DE Carl Lawson
The NFL hasn't seen much of Lawson since he tore his Achilles before the 2021 season. He had seven sacks for the Jets in 2022 but disappeared in 2023 with only six games to his name. Lawson is a situational player at this stage in his career and would alleviate some of the pressure on Smith as the No. 2 pass rusher outside of Myles Garrett.
OT Charles Leno
Leno has a lot of veteran experience and would be able to step up if the Browns endure more injuries to their offensive line. He missed time at the end of the 2023 season and will be 33 in October, meaning he could fit well as a backup for Cleveland.
Browns dead money cap hits for 2024
The Browns rank pretty low in dead cap him in 2024. Cleveland will owe $15.7 million in dead cap hit to eight players, per Over the Cap, which ranks 22nd in the NFL.
The biggest dead cap numbers belong to Jadeveon Clowney and John Johnson, who make up for nearly all the money.
Here's the Browns' dead cap breakdown, per Over The Cap.
| Name | Cap Number |
|---|---|
| John Johnson | $8.85 million |
| Jadeveon Clowner | $4.8 million |
| Jakeem Grant | $666,668 |
| Perrion Winfrey | $406,400 |
| Cade York | $364,820 |
| Anthony Schwartz | $224,186 |
| Tommy Togiai | $169,286 |
| Drew Forbes | $100,000 |
| TOTAL | $15.7 million |