2. Jadeveon Clowney – Cleveland Browns
Again, this is a signing that may come with some risk for the Indianapolis Colts. Jadeveon Clowney is finished with the Cleveland Browns, leaving after two years on bad terms. He is starting to develop a reputation in the league bouncing from team to team. Whatever team he lands on this offseason would mark his fifth team since 2018. He was drafted with the first overall pick in 2014 by the Houston Texans. He had a stint with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Tennessee Titans for one season. He has been with the Browns for the past two seasons but is definitely not returning.
He has produced since leaving Houston like in his first season with the Browns in 2021. He recorded nine sacks, 37 total tackles, and 19 QB hits; his highest marks since leaving the Texans. He started all 14 games he played in for the Browns. Last season was a different story but there was some animosity between the two parties. This past season he recorded two sacks, 28 total tackles, and four QB hits in 12 games played. He only started 10 of those. These were the lowest marks of his career in 10 or more games played.
Clowney has been relatively healthy these past few seasons and may have just a little more left in the tank. If Indianapolis elects to keep DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, Clowney would have fewer responsibilities and less pressure to perform knowing those two will clog up the middle. On the opposing side is Kwity Paye who also requires a lot of attention. Clowney can go back to a pure pass-rushing role. In his first season in Cleveland, he benefitted tremendously from playing opposite Myles Garrett.
The Colts could play it safe and sign Clowney to a one-year deal to mitigate any risk involved with signing a disgruntled 29-year-old edge rusher. He is coming off a one-year contract in which he earned $10 million. He will likely get a similar, maybe a little cheaper deal with his new team in 2023. This kind of deal could go along with resigning Tyquan Lewis to a team-friendly deal or mixing in rising star Dayo Odeyingbo more often.