The Browns should again have a potent defensive front in 2024. Cleveland bolstered its defensive interior by taking Mike Hall Jr. in the second round, and it has a strong pass-rushing rotation in Smith, Myles Garrett and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo.

It wouldn't hurt, however, to add another piece to the pass-rushing rotation. Smith recorded 5.5 sacks last season, and he and Garrett were the only Browns defenders to record more than five quarterback takedowns.

Adding a high-end pass-rusher wouldn't be cheap, though. While a deep player pool kept the edge market in check this offseason, sack artists don't often sign budget-friendly deals. Chase Young, for example, landed a one-year, $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints after failing to do much in nine games with the San Francisco 49ers last year.

However, Cleveland might be able to get a bargain by signing Carl Lawson to a short-term "prove-it" deal. The 28-year-old barely saw the field with the New York Jets in 2023 and was dumped early this offseason.

Two years ago, though, Lawson started all 17 games for the Jets and tallied seven sacks and 26 quarterback pressures. Lawson needs to reestablish his value, and Jim Schwartz's defense could provide him with that opportunity.

While Lawson earned $15 million annually on his last contract, he'll have to accept a much lower offer at this point in the offseason. A one-year, $5 million deal with added incentives might be enough to entice him.