Browns Free Agency: Jamel Dean could help replace Martin Emerson Jr.
The Cleveland Browns have always been solid at defensive back. General manager Andrew Berry is a former college cornerback, so the DB room is his pet. Except last year, Berry has selected a corner or safety in every draft he has orchestrated since 2020.
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It’s his baby.
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The Browns defense ranked fourth last season. Their passing “D” had a #3 ranking. Berry will do whatever it takes to keep those marks elite and in the Top 5.
CB Denzel Ward is currently his crown jewel with his five Pro Bowls, including the last three years in a row. Last year, Berry traded former first-round CB Greg Newsome to the Jacksonville Jaguars for CB Tyson Campbell. Newsome ended up on a great team and got a playoff check, but Campbell is a solid goaltender and player.
MJ Emerson, a key selection Berry found in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, was ready to prove he is one of the best in the league after a strong offseason conditioning program, but suffered a torn Achilles in training camp and was lost for the season. This was Emerson’s contract year.
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Now, free agency relies on the franchise. Defensive backs on the roster are S Rayshawn Jenkins, CB Tre Avery, CB Sam Webb, S Ronnie Hickman, CB D’Angelo Ross, CB Anthony Kendall and Emerson. Webb and Hickman are restricted free agents, while Kendall is an exclusive-rights free agent.
On the surface, it would have been prudent for Berry to sign Hickman and Emerson to contract extensions, but so far there has been no movement on either player. Currently, the defensive backs under contract are S Grant Delpit, CB Myles Harden, CB Dom Jones, S Donovan McMillon, S Chris Edmonds, Ward and Campbell.
What allowed Jim Schwartz’s defense to work so well was the fact that the cornerbacks all played man, which freed up the safeties to support the run. Which means three very good cornerbacks are needed. Ward and Campbell make it two, and if Emerson returns, they would solidify this group. But what happens if Emerson doesn’t return to camp?
Cleveland will need to draft a seasoned veteran to fill the open cornerback position. Make no mistake, another capable body needs to become an addition to the roster this offseason.
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The 2026 NFL free agency period begins March 9-11. Here’s a possibility for the Browns.
CB Jamel Doyen
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
6′-1″, 206 pounds
Age: 29
PFF ranking: 84.9
NFL Draft: 2019 Round 3, pick #94 (Buccaneers)
Honors: Super Bowl Champion (2020)
40 times: 4.3
2025 season: 14 starts, 46 tackles, 2 QB hits, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, 9 batted passes, 2 pressures, 0 hurries, 1 overthrow, 1 tackle for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 missed tackle, 29 receptions allowed, 660 snaps (75%)
Dean is a sensational defender and ranked as the 5th best free agent on the market and best cornerback. To get it, Berry will have to spend a lot of money. So there you have it.
He ranked No. 4 among all cornerbacks last year and allowed just a 46.9 passer rating on passes thrown his way. It was the best mark in the league. And he’s a seven-year player, so he has the experience the Browns need to continue to dominate in pass defense.
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Played in 96 NFL games and 4,717 snaps. But he’s had his fair share of injuries, including a hip flexor strain and shoulder issue last year and a hamstring injury in 2024. So here’s that other part.
Yes, he is expected to become the highest-paid corner during this year’s free agency period. Is it worth it?
Last season, he established himself as a shutdown corner, which is what Cleveland is looking for. His pass completion rate was just 43.1% and he didn’t allow a single touchdown. He is also effective in pressing and has elite speed (4.3) which allows him to recover well. Very good run support with only one missed tackle all season.
Dean allowed just 4.6 yards per target and allowed just one pass of 20+ yards. He was lapping the field in DVOA coverage, with -69.1% DVOA. He had two other interceptions that didn’t count.
He brings experience, length and discipline to the Browns backfield and won’t let himself get burned.
Projection: three years, $55 million
