NFL free agency 2024: Christian Wilkins cashes in big in Las Vegas

Free agency has arrived for the Browns.

Coming off an 11-6 regular season and an AFC wild card berth in the playoffs, Cleveland has turned its eyes on improving its roster to improve on those results. The Browns already notched one big move even before free agency, agreeing Saturday to a trade with the Denver Broncos to acquire wide receiver Jerry Jeudy in exchange for a fifth- (No. 135) and sixth-round (No. 202) picks in April's draft.

Teams start negotiating with free agents Monday at noon. Any deals, be it free-agent or trades, can't become official until the new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Check back here for updates as the Browns work on putting together the 2024 roster, or as members of their 2023 roster find new homes.

Christian Wilkins hits the jackpot in Las Vegas, not with Browns

The story of the first 90 minutes of the negotiating period, at least for the Browns, is watching potential targets get the bag somewhere else. First it was Jonathan Greenard going from Houston to the Minnesota Vikings.

Now, it's former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, the top defensive tackle on the market, cashing in with the Las Vegas Raiders. Specifically, he'll land a four-year, $110-million contract, including $84.75 million guaranteed.

Wlkins takes advantage of the defensive tackle market getting set by a pair of extensions signed this past weekend. The Baltimore Ravens locked up Justin Madubuike in a four-year, $98-million ($75.5 million guaranteed) deal, while the Kansas City Chiefs signed Chris Jones to a five-year, $158.75-million ($101 millions guaranteed) deal.

No Jonathan Greenard for Cleveland Browns defensive line

One intriguing defensive end target on the free agent market was Houston Texans star Jonathan Greenard. The 26-year-old was coming off a season in which he had 12.5 sacks in 15 games for the eventual AFC South champions.

Greenard's defensive line coach, Jacques Cesaire, was hired by the Browns in late January. However, Greenard won't be joining him, as NFL Network is reporting he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Greenard's deal will be a four-year, $76 million deal, including $42 million guaranteed.

That's one of a couple of major moves that have happened so far in the first 45 minutes of the negotiating period. The Chicago Bears have also agreed to a deal with former Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift, a player who had been linked to the Browns by some leading up to Monday.

Could Zack Moss be an option for the Browns at running back?

The Browns still don't know when four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb will actually return to the field. He continues to recover from the two surgeries he had last fall on the knee he injured in Week 2 at Pittsburgh.

That has opened the door to some conversation about signing a veteran running back to at least take some carries off of Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. One name that has emerged is former Indianapolis Colts Zack Moss, whom Houston KPRC-TV's Aaron Wilson reported that is a potential target for the Browns, among other teams.

Moss rushed for 794 yards and five touchdowns on 183 carries for the Colts last season. He started eight games in place of Jonathan Taylor, who was injured.

Cleveland Browns players who are unrestricted free agents

According to Spotrac, the Browns have 23 free agents this offseason. Here's a list of those free agents, in alphabetical order, as well as where they ultimately sign, if they do:

• Matthew Adams, linebacker

• Corey Bojorquez, punter

• Harrison Bryant, tight end

• Geron Christian, offensive tackle

• Michael Dunn, offensive lineman

• Jordan Elliott, defensive tackle

• Joe Flacco, quarterback

• Mike Ford Jr., cornerback

• Marquise Goodwin, receiver

• Jakeem Grant, receiver/return man

• Kahlef Hailassie, cornerback (restricted free agent)

• Duron Harmon, safety

• Nick Harris, offensive lineman

• Shelby Harris, defensive tackle

• Kareem Hunt, running back

• Maurice Hurst II, defensive tackle

• Jordan Kunaszyk, linebacker

• Rodney McLeod, safety

• Jacob Phillips, linebacker

• James Proche II, receiver/return man

• Za'Darius Smith, defensive end

• Sione Takitaki, linebacker

• Anthony Walker Jr., linebacker

Cleveland Browns pre-free agency links

Offensive free agents: Who are the potential 2024 free agents on offense the Cleveland Browns may target?

Defensive free agents: Who are the potential 2024 free agents on defense the Cleveland Browns may target?

Cleveland Browns positional needs: Browns' receiver questions potentially has multiple answers for GM Andrew Berry to find

Cleveland Browns positional needs: Defensive line again an 'important position' for Browns to upgrade this offseason

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: Browns, NFL free agency tracker 2024: See who gets signed