Browns Make Major $20 Million Defensive Line Acquisition
The Cleveland Browns have strengthened their defensive line significantly in NFL free agency. Earlier this week, Cleveland announced they were designating defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson as a post-June 1 cut, and it seems they’ve already found his replacement.
The Browns have signed former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Maliek Collins to a two-year, $20 million contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The deal, negotiated by renowned NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus, includes $13 million in guaranteed money, which is considered a great value for Cleveland.
Collins played every game last season, recording 33 tackles, five sacks, and a couple of fumble recoveries.
The 29-year-old has had a somewhat journeyman career in the NFL, having been drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 before stints with the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans.
While Collins hasn’t been a superstar, he’s been a reliable presence wherever he’s played. His best season came in 2023 with the Texans, where he accumulated 41 tackles and five sacks over 16 games.
Collins also earned an impressive pass-rushing grade of 70 from Pro Football Focus last season, which should help provide Myles Garrett with valuable support in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Despite entering free agency with limited financial flexibility, the Browns have done a solid job addressing their needs. There’s still work to be done, but Cleveland holds several NFL Draft picks that can help fill remaining gaps.
It will be interesting to see if the Browns can get creative in the rest of the offseason.
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