Story by
Browns must avoid NFL free agency pitfall of signing Rasheed Walker
- Story by
- Browns must avoid NFL free agency pitfall of signing Rasheed Walker
The Cleveland Browns enter the new league year, namely NFL free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, with holes littered all over the offensive side of the football. One of those positions is at the offensive tackle spot , and ahead of free agency, the Browns have been heavily linked to former Green Bay Packers ' offensive tackle Rasheed Walker .
Walker, a former seventh round pick of the Packers, is set to hit the market after starting for the last two seasons in Green Bay . NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe has even linked the two sides together, stating that he expects the market for Walker to heat up as it did for Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Dan Moore a year ago, and that a team to keep an eye on is the Browns:
This is a pitfall the Browns must avoid, however. Here is why and how the Browns can rebuild their offensive line without breaking the bank on replacement-level players:
Advertisement
Looking at the NFL free agency cost and supply/demand of offensive tackles
If you look at the market for offensive tackles, it is rare that teams let good offensive tackles hit NFL free agency. In fact, if you look at the top-20 top-paid offensive tackles in the NFL right now, all but one of them were extended by their current team or traded for and then extended. The top-20 paid offensive tackle who was a free agency signing is the Tennessee Titans ' offensive tackle, Dan Moore.
Moore's play with the Pittsburgh Steelers never earned him that sort of payday he received last year, making $20 million per year. However, when even middling offensive tackles hit free agency, there is a massive market for them given the drought at the position at the NFL level. This is why he commanded so much on the open market.
Walker will do the same.
Advertisement
Drafting a left tackle of the future is a much wiser and cost-controlled option.
How the Browns can solve their offensive tackle woes
The clearest way for the Browns to solve their offensive line issues at the tackle position is to double up early in the 2026 NFL Draft. With three picks in the top-40 of the draft, the Browns have the firepower to draft two while still targeting a wide receiver early as well. Names like Georgia's Monroe Freeling , Miami 's Francis Mauigoa, and more are the top names to consider here.
Then doubling back into the second round or late first if they opt to draft a wide receiver early, Clemson's Blake Miller, Utah's Caleb Lomu, and more could be worth targeting.
Advertisement
If the Browns do opt to sign an offensive tackle in free agency, they should opt for an older veteran on a cheaper, short-term deal to give them a bridge to fix the offensive line long-term. The prime candidate here is former New York Giant Jermaine Eluemunor . Former Cincinnati Bengals first round pick, most recently with the Arizona Cardinals , Jonah Williams would be another option here. Braden Smith , the long-time Indianapolis Colts ' right tackle is another name to consider.
Even former Chicago Bears ' left tackle Braxton Jones would be a worthwhile look for cheaper than what Walker is asking for.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns must avoid NFL free agency pitfall of signing Rasheed Walker
