Jadeveon Clowney landing spots: Exploring top 3 destinations for the former first overall pick
Former NFL draft first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney was released by the Cleveland Browns yesterday and is now a free agent.
Clowney has bounced around the league in the past few years, spending time with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and the Browns.
Injuries have hampered his progression in recent times, and he only clocked two sacks in 10 games for Cleveland in 2022.
Browns release DE Jadeveon Clowney. https://t.co/58HBCFjzuI
When healthy, Clowney can still be a game-wrecker, as displayed by his 9.5 sack and 59 tackle season in 2017. This was the only season of his career when he featured for a full campaign.
The 30-year-old may still have a large price-tag, but will want to join a contender in search of a Super Bowl ring before he calls it a career. Here are three potential landing spots for Jadeveon Clowney:
#1 - Cincinnati Bengals, AFC North
One potential landing spot for Clowney in 2023 is the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati could only muster 30 sacks across the whole of last season, and adding in a solid piece like Clowney can only be a good thing for them. They already have Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard for company, so bringing in Clowney as a rotational player may keep the aforementioned fresher for longer.
This would also be a good move for the former first overall pick, as the Bengals are likely to be competing for a Super Bowl ring in the 2023 NFL season.
#2 - Chicago Bears, NFC North
The Chicago Bears are in desperate need of players to sack the QB, so making a move for Clowney would be a solid option for them.
The Bears had the fewest team sacks (20) in the NFL in 2022, and have already addressed this issue by signing former Titans DE DeMarcus Walker in free agency.
However, they still need all the help they can get, and making a move for Clowney could be wise, especially as they traded out of the first overall pick last week.
#3 - Denver Broncos, AFC West
The Denver Broncos haven't been afraid to make a splash during the past couple of NFL offseasons, and there's no reason they won't do it for Jadeveon Clowney.
Denver amassed just 36 sacks in 2022, going a disappointing 5-12. This was good enough for last place in the AFC West.
In this NFL free agency period, the Broncos have already paid OT Mike McGlinchey $87.5m over five years, as well as splashing out 45.75m for DE Zach Allen from the Arizona Cardinals.
Jadeveon Clowney would be a solid addition to the defensive end room, along with the aforementioned Allen as well as Randy Gregory.