Cleveland Browns
FILE - Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) against the Denver Broncos of an NFL football game Sunday, December 18, 2022, in Denver. The Arizona Cardinals released five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Hopkins in a salary cap move Friday, May 26, 2023, after they failed to find a trading partner in the offseason. (AP Photo/Bart Young, File)
Browns' Watson makes pitch for DeAndre Hopkins to reunite with him in Cleveland

By Tom Withers May. 30, 2023 01:20 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up during NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Za'Darius Smith excited to have 'hand in the dirt' with Browns, paired up front with Myles Garrett

By Tom Withers May. 24, 2023 05:10 PM EDT

Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud (7) takes part in a drill during an organized team activity at the football team's training facility Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
No. 2 pick Stroud competing for starting job with Houston Texans

By Kristie Rieken May. 23, 2023 02:35 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians, Monday, May 22, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
White Sox at Guardians 5/22/2023

May. 22, 2023 06:07 PM EDT

FILE 0 Muhammad Ali visits the film set of "The Dirty Dozen" with, from left, Jim Brown, Rahaman Ali, Clint Walker at Morkyate, Bedfordshire, England, Aug. 5, 1966. NFL legend, actor and social activist Jim Brown passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, May 18, 2023, with his wife, Monique, by his side, according to a spokeswoman for Brown's family. He was 87. (AP Photo/File)
NFL great Jim Brown sought solutions in a lifetime devoted to activism

By Eddie Pells May. 20, 2023 08:00 AM EDT

FILE - Former football great Jim Brown, left, President of the Black Economic Union, confers with Mrs. Anne Faulkner, 74, in her poor neighborhood at Holly Springs, Miss., Feb. 11, 1970. Brown led about 25 black athletes for the firsthand look at conditions his BEU hopes to improve. In background is Leroy Kelly of the Cleveland Browns. (AP Photo/File)
Reactions to the death of Jim Brown, NFL star, social activist and actor

By The Associated Press May. 19, 2023 05:16 PM EDT

FILE - Jimmy Brown (32), running back for the Cleveland Browns, is shown in action against the New York Giants in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 14, 1965. NFL legend, actor and social activist Jim Brown passed away peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday night, May 18, 2023, with his wife, Monique, by his side, according to a spokeswoman for Brown's family. He was 87. (AP Photo/File)
Jim Brown, all-time NFL great and social activist, dead at 87

By Tom Withers May. 19, 2023 03:22 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis. The three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher officially joined the Browns on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, after the team agreed last week to acquire him from the Vikings in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2024 and 2025. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Browns finalize trade for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, exclamation point for defensive overhaul

By Tom Withers May. 16, 2023 12:55 PM EDT

FILE - Washington Commanders offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (78) attempts to hold off Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Md. The Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith in a trade from the Minnesota Vikings, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday night, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Browns agree to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith from Vikings, AP source says

By Tom Withers May. 12, 2023 08:01 PM EDT

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks speaks to reporters before the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Santa Clara, Calif., Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
New 49ers DC Steve Wilks looks to build on defense's past successes

By Josh Dubow May. 12, 2023 07:59 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns rookie Dawand Jones speaks to reporters before the Browns NFL football rookie minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Friday, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Phil Long)
Browns rookie tackle Dawand Jones defends love of football, commitment to game

By Tom Withers May. 12, 2023 06:28 PM EDT

FILE - Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (26) follows play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Minneapolis. The Cleveland Browns added needed experience and depth to their secondary Thursday, May 4, 2023, agreeing on a one-year contract with veteran free agent safety Rodney McLeod. The 32-year-old McLeod has started 138 games in his NFL career. He spent last season with Indianapolis, finishing with 96 tackles, eight pass breakups and two interceptions. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)
Browns agree to terms with S Rodney McLeod on 1-year deal

By Tom Withers May. 04, 2023 12:46 PM EDT

FILE - Cleveland Browns tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Wills Jr. is getting more time to prove to the Cleveland Browns he's worth a long-term investment. The team has picked up the fifth-year contract option for Wills. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
Browns pick up 5th-year option on LT Jedrick Wills Jr.

By Tom Withers May. 01, 2023 10:50 AM EDT

FILE - Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 2, 2023. Ika was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
XXL draft: Browns get bigger with super-sized selections

By Tom Withers Apr. 29, 2023 09:38 PM EDT

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, left, looks as Texans' first round draft pick quarterback C.J. Stroud, center, speaks alongside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. during an NFL football press conference, Friday, April 28, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
Texans build for future in NFL draft with Stroud, Anderson

By Kristie Rieken Apr. 29, 2023 07:44 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry speaks with the media during an NFL football news conference at the team's practice facility in Berea, Ohio, Friday, April 21, 2023. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Browns get Watson a new target, nab WR Tillman in NFL draft

By Tom Withers Apr. 28, 2023 10:25 PM EDT

FILE - Illinois defensive back Jartavius Martin (21) intercepts a pass from Minnesota backup quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis intended for wide receiver Michael Brown-Stephens, right, during an NCAA college football game Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. The Washington Commanders continued bolstering their secondary in the second round of the NFL draft Friday, April 28, taking Martin with the 47th pick. Martin, whose given name is Jartavius but prefers to go by Quan, was a five-year starter with the Illini. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Commanders take DB Martin, C Stromberg on day 2 of NFL draft

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 28, 2023 08:35 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers number one draft pick quarterback Bryce Young speaks during a news conference at their NFL football stadium on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Analysis: QBs picked 1-2 often don't both have success

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 28, 2023 05:00 PM EDT

FILE -Mississippi State defensive back Emmanuel Forbes runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 3, 2023. The Washington Commanders have selected Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes with the 16th pick in the NFL draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Commanders take CB Emmanuel Forbes at No. 16 in NFL draft

By Stephen Whyno Apr. 27, 2023 10:11 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud puts on a hat after being chosen by the Houston Texans with the second overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Texans get franchise QB in Stroud, trade up for LB Anderson

By Kristie Rieken Apr. 27, 2023 08:32 PM EDT