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From Hakeem Adeniji to Jameis Winston, these are the new Cleveland Browns from free agency
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- From Hakeem Adeniji to Jameis Winston, these are the new Cleveland Browns from free agency
The Browns started the process of reshaping their roster over the past five days. On Wednesday, those moves finally could start to become official.
The NFL league year began at 4 p.m. Wednesday. It was at that time that all 32 teams had to be salary cap compliant, both with that players who had never left their roster and with those they either added or kept.
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That's also when all of the deals general manager Andrew Berry had made over the last week finally could become official. Not all of them were announced on the first day they could because of various reasons, which is why some have dragged on for a day or two.
The Browns had started the moves last Saturday by acquiring wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos in exchange for a fifth- (No. 135 overall) and sixth-round (No. 202 overall) pick in April's draft. They agreed to terms with 11 free agents just over the first three days of negotiations, which started at noon Monday at noon.
Here's a look at the players who were part of the Browns' transactions over the past few days. Those whose deals have yet to be officially announced are noted as pending.
Hakeem Adeniji
Cincinnati Bengals guard Hakeem Adeniji (77) engages guard Desmond Noel (60) during preseason training camp July 30, 2022, in Cincinnati/
Position:Offensive tackle
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2023 team: Minnesota Vikings
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):26 (Dec. 8, 1997)
Height/weight:6-foot/315 pounds
College:University of Kansas
Pro experience: Cincinnati Bengals , 2020-22; Minnesota Vikings, 2023
Career games played/started:43 regular season, seven postseason/15 regular season, seven postseason
Career key statistics:None
2023 games played/started:Four regular season/no starts
2023 key statistics:None
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Corey Bojorquez
Cleveland Browns punter Corey Bojorquez kicks a punt against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 29, 2023, in Seattle.
Position:Punter
2023 team: Cleveland Browns
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):27 (Sept. 13, 1996)
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Height/weight:6-foot/217 pounds
College:Cerritos College (Calif.)/University of New Mexico
Pro experience: Buffalo Bills , 2018-20; Green Bay Packers , 2021; Cleveland Browns 2022-present
Career games played/started:90 regular season, six postseason/90 regular season, six postseason
Career key statistics:366 punts, 46.8-yard average, 40.5-yard net, 10.4% touchback, 39.9% inside opponent's 20, two blocked
2023 games played/started:16 regular season, one postseason/16 regular season, one postseason
2023 key statistics:87 punts, 49.4-yard average, 42.2-yard net, 10.3% touchbacks, 35.6% inside opponent's 20, none blocked
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Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Tony Brown II
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Tony Brown (38) knocks the ball away from Tennessee Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse (4) before he could punt on Dec. 3, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
Position:Cornerback
2023 team: Indianapolis Colts
How acquired:Free-agent signing — Pending
Age (birth date):28 (July 13, 1995)
Height/weight:6-foot/199 pounds
College:University of Alabama
Pro experience:Green Bay Packers, 2018-19, Cincinnati Bengals, 2020; Indianapolis Colts, 2022-23
Career games played/started:61 regular season, none postseason/five regular season, none postseason
Career key statistics:75 total tackles, one sack, one interception, three forced fumbles
2023 games played/started:12 regular season, none postseason/one regular season, none postseason
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2023 key statistics:10 total tackles, one interception
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Devin Bush Jr.
Browns tight end David Njoku is brought down by Steelers linebacker Devin Bush after gaining a first-half first down Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in Cleveland.
Position:Linebacker
2023 team: Seattle Seahawks
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):25 (July 18, 1998)
Height/weight:5-foot-11/234 pounds
College:University of Michigan
Pro experience: Pittsburgh Steelers , 2019-22; Seattle Seahawks, 2023
Career games played/started:65 regular season, one postseason/51 regular season, one postseason
Career key statistics:323 total tackles, four sack, two interception, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, one fumble return touchdown, 10 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss
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2023 games played/started:13 regular season, none postseason/three regular season, none postseason
2023 key statistics:37 total tackles, five tackles for loss
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Michael Dunn
Browns guard Michael Dunn stands on the sideline against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland.
Position:Offensive lineman
2023 team:Cleveland Browns
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):29 (Aug. 29, 1994)
Height/weight:6-foot-5/315 pounds
College:University of Maryland
Pro experience:Cleveland Browns, 2020-present
Career games played/started:40 regular season, two postseason/six regular season, one postseason
Career key statistics:None
2023 games played/started:12 regular season, one postseason/two regular season, none postseason
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2023 key statistics:None
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Shelby Harris
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) tackles Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) on Nov. 5, 2023, in Cleveland.
Position:Defensive tackle
2023 team:Cleveland Browns
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):32 (Aug. 11, 1991)
Height/weight:6-foot-2/288 pounds
College:Illinois State University
Pro experience:Oakland Raiders, 2014-15; Denver Broncos, 2016-21; Seattle Seahawks, 2022; Cleveland Browns 2023-present
Career games played/started:115 regular season, two postseason/71 regular season, two postseason
Career key statistics:289 total tackles, 26 sacks, 46 tackles for loss, 55 quarterback hits, one interception, four forced fumbles
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2023 games played/started:17 regular season, one postseason/seven regular season, one postseason
2023 key statistics:28 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, one forced fumble
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Jordan Hicks
Position:Linebacker
2023 team:Minnesota Vikings
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):31 (June 27, 1992)
Height/weight:6-foot-1/236 pounds
College:University of Texas
Pro experience: Philadelphia Eagles , 2015-18; Arizona Cardinals , 2019-21; Minnesota Vikings, 2022-23
Career games played/started:122 regular season, four postseason/119 regular season, three postseason
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Career key statistics:874 total tackles, 14.5 sacks, 47 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, 13 interceptions, one interception return touchdown, six forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, one fumble return touchdown
2023 games played/started:13 regular season, none postseason/13 regular season, none postseason
2023 key statistics:107 total tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, one fumble return touchdown
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Nyheim Hines
Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines (20) runs the ball on a kick return against the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 20, 2022, in Detroit.
Position:Running back/return specialist
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2023 team:Buffalo Bills
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):27 (Nov. 12, 1996)
Height/weight:5-foot-9/196 pounds
College:North Carolina State University
Pro experience:Indianapolis Colts, 2018-22; Buffalo Bills, 2022-23
Career games played/started:81 regular season, five postseason/17 regular season, one postseason
Career key statistics:306 rushing attempts, 1,202 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns; 240 receptions, 1,778 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns; 89 punt returns, 11.4-yard punt return average, two punt return touchdowns; 32 kickoff returns, 25.5-yard kickoff return average, two kickoff return touchdowns
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2023 games played/started:Did not play, injured
2023 key statistics:Did not play, injured
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Maurice Hurst II
Browns defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II (90) celebrates after recovering a first-half fumble against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 1, 2023, in Cleveland.
Position:Defensive tackle
2023 team:Cleveland Browns
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):28 (May 9, 1995)
Height/weight:6-foot-2/290 pounds
College:University of Michigan
Pro experience:Oakland Raiders, 2018-19, Las Vegas Raiders , 2020; San Francisco 49ers , 2021; Cleveland Browns, 2023-present
Career games played/started:55 regular season, none postseason/17 regular season, none postseason
Career key statistics:100 total tackles, 9.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback hits, two interceptions, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries
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2023 games played/started:13 regular season, none postseason/none regular season, none postseason
2023 key statistics:22 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, five quarterbacks hits, one interception, one fumble recovery
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Quinton Jefferson
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor (52) and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (77) sack New York Jets quarterback Mike White (5) during the second quarter Jan. 1, 2023, in Seattle.
Position:Defensive tackle
2023 team: New York Jets
How acquired:Free-agent signing — Pending
Age (birth date):30 (March 31, 1993)
Height/weight:6-foot-4/291 pounds
College:University of Maryland
Pro experience:Seattle Seahawks, 2016-19; Buffalo Bills, 2020; Las Vegas Raiders, 2021; Seattle Seahawks, 2022; New York Jets, 2023
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Career games played/started:103 regular season, eight postseason/62 regular-season, four postseason
Career key statistics:192 total tackles, 26.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 77 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries
2023 games played/started:14 regular season, none postseason/14 regular season, none preseason
2023 key statistics:34 total tackles, six sacks, four tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Jerry Jeudy
Position:Wide receiver
2023 team:Denver Broncos
How acquired:Trade — Browns send Broncos their 2024 fifth-round (No. 135 overall) and 2024 sixth-round (No. 202) draft picks
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Age (birth date):24 (April 24, 1999)
Height/weight:6-foot-1/193 pounds
College:University of Alabama
Pro experience:Denver Broncos, 2020-23
Career games played/started:57 regular season, none postseason/44 regular-season, none postseason
Career key statistics:211 receptions, 3,053 receiving yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, 356 targets
2023 games played/started:16 regular season, none postseason/11 regular season, none preseason
2023 key statistics:54 receptions, 758 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns
Pro Bowl bids:None
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Giovanni Ricci
Position:Tight end
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2023 team: Carolina Panthers
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):27 (Oct. 16, 1996)
Height/weight:6-foot-3/240 pounds
College:Western Michigan University
Pro experience:Carolina Panthers 2021-23
Career games played/started:36 regular season, none postseason/four regular-season, none postseason
Career key statistics:Nine receptions, 102 receiving yards, no receiving touchdowns, 12 targets
2023 games played/started:Five regular season, none postseason/none regular season, none preseason
2023 key statistics:One reception, two receiving yards, no receiving touchdowns
Pro Bowl bids:None
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All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:None
Za'Darius Smith
Position:Defensive end
2023 team:Cleveland Browns
How acquired:Free-agent signing
Age (birth date):31 (Sept. 8, 1992)
College:East Mississippi Community College/University of Kentucky
Pro experience: Baltimore Ravens , 2015-18; Green Bay Packers, 2019-21; Minnesota Vikings, 2022; Cleveland Browns, 2023-present
Career games played/started:123 regular season, eight postseason/80 regular season, seven postseason
Career key statistics:298 total tackles, 60 sacks, 76 tackles for loss, 156 quarterback hits, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries
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2023 games played/started:16 regular season, one postseason/16 regular season, one postseason
2023 key statistics:27 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, one forced fumble
Pro Bowl bids:Three — 2019, 2020, 2022
All-Pro teams:2020 Associated Press second team
Major postseason awards:None
Jameis Winston
New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) passes against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 12, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minn.
Position:Quarterback
2023 team: New Orleans Saints
How acquired:Free-agent signing — Pending
Age:30 (Jan. 6, 1994)
Height/weight:6-foot-4/231 pounds
College:Florida State University
Pro experience: Tampa Bay Buccaneers , 2015-19; New Orleans Saints, 2020-23
Career games played/started:93 regular season, one postseason/80 regular season, none postseason
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Career key statistics:1,763 of 2,882 passing, 61.2% completion percentage, 22,104 yards, 141 passing touchdowns, 99 interceptions, 87.0 passer rating; 298 rushing attempts, 1,214 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 195 sacks
2023 games played/started:seven regular season, none postseason/none regular season, none postseason
2023 key statistics:25 of 47 passing, 53.2% completion percentage, two touchdowns, three interceptions, 57.4 passer rating, two sacks
Pro Bowl bids:One — 2015
All-Pro teams:None
Major postseason awards:All-Rookie Team, 2015
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jerry Jeudy, Jameis Winston lead newest crop of Cleveland Browns
