It took until after midnight on the opening day of the legal tampering period, but the Cleveland Browns are finally on the board in free agency.
Cleveland’s first move is to bring in offensive tackle depth and they’re doing it via an experienced veteran who can step in and start if needed.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Browns are expected to sign former Washington Commanders OT Cornelius Lucas to their roster. The deal is for two years and worth up to $10 million.
This move comes for Cleveland shortly after swing tackle James Hudson left in free agency for the New York Giants. Hudson landed a two-year deal worth up to $16 million from the Giants, a number that the Browns were never going to pay to the former fourth-round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Hudson appeared in 49 games over four seasons with the Browns and made 17 starts.
Cleveland knows all too well how important tackle depth is with the rash of injuries they’ve had the last couple of seasons at the position. Jack Conklin at right tackle and Dawand Jones at left tackle are the expected starters at this point and Lucas becomes the team’s top backup option.
Lucas is entering his 12th NFL season in 2025 and spent the last five years with the Commanders. Lucas started seven of the 14 games he played last season and graded out with a 74.1 for the season, per Pro Football Focus. Lucas gave up just one sack in 464 offensive snaps played.
As an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State, Lucas spent his first three seasons with the Detroit Lions. After that, Lucas was with the Rams, Saints, and Bears for a year each. The 6-foot-8, 327-pound offensive tackle upgrades Cleveland’s offensive line depth.
Andrew Berry said that the Browns would invest in the trenches this offseason like they always do and that is proving to be true already.
