SF 49ers free agency: 5 possible landing spots for Richard Sherman

No. 2: Cleveland Browns

For the first time in what seems like forever, the Cleveland Browns appear poised to become regular postseason contenders after spending years in NFL laughingstock status.

While 2020 marked the end of the Browns’ elongated playoff drought, there are still some glaring needs to be looked at, and the secondary is on the short list of spots needing some would-be upgrades.

Ideally, a top cornerback would be great to pair along with three-year corner Denzel Ward, although Ward has dealt with his share of injuries since entering the league as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft.

Whether it be for depth or as a potential starting-caliber option, a key reason why Richard Sherman has to be considered a possible Cleveland free-agent target would be his prior rapport with defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who served as the SF 49ers’ cornerbacks coach in 2019 and helped oversee one of the Niners’ best defenses in recent history.

If Woods is a selling point, so is the Browns’ $24.6 million in available cap space. There aren’t too many other needs on the roster outside of the secondary, meaning getting some veteran help from a player like Sherman could do wonders towards turning Cleveland’s defense into something formidable on the back end.