The Browns added more experience, depth and talent at the defensive end position with the signing of Jadeveon Clowney.
Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, comes to Cleveland after spending the 2020 season with the Tennessee Titans. The eight-year veteran joins Takkarist McKinley as the second major addition to the Browns' group of pass rushers since the start of the new league year.
"We're excited to add Jadeveon to our defensive line," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He's a disruptive force that will help us against the run and the pass. We've been able to make some nice additions to our defense throughout free agency and we are looking forward to getting to work, so we can improve our team."
Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, has racked up 32 sacks over seven seasons, though two of those years were significantly shortened by injuries. Clowney made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2016-18, a stretch in which he averaged more than eight sacks per season and delivered a combined 59 hits on the quarterback. Clowney also earned second-team All-Pro recognition in 2016, his first of four consecutive seasons in which he started in double-digit games.
"Jadeveon's had a very productive career since 2014. We love his relentless style of play," Browns EVP of Football Operations and GM Andrew Berry said. "He's one of the more disruptive players in the game and we think he's going to add an element of ruggedness along our defensive line and will pair nicely with many of the guys we have on the roster already. The other thing we love about Jadeveon is his versatility, his ability to play all across the front and impact the game regardless of his alignment."
Clowney spent his first five seasons with the Texans before joining the Seahawks via trade in 2019. He registered his first pick-six and posted the second-best defensive grade of his career (87.3), according to Pro Football Focus' rankings, over 13 games.
This past season in Tennessee, Clowney appeared and started in eight games before his season was ended prematurely by a knee injury. Though he didn't collect a sack, Clowney brought consistent pressure — 69.6 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus — knocked down four passes and posted six hits on the quarterback.
"Jadeveon's play-to-play impact on the game, whether it's the run game as a rusher, lined up as a three-technique or lined up as an end, is something we really value," Berry said. "We think he'll really be beneficial for us in our defensive system."
Clowney, a Rock Hill, S.C., native, was one of the highest-ranked recruits to ever play at the University of South Carolina. The two-time All-American and two-time first-team All-SEC selection is one of four DEs to be selected with the No. 1 pick since 2000.
Clowney joins a Browns defensive ends group, led by All-Pro Myles Garrett, that will have a different look to it in 2021. McKinley, who collected 19.5 sacks over the past four seasons with the Falcons, joined the team at the start of the new league year. The Browns released veteran Adrian Clayborn last month and veteran Olivier Vernon, who suffered an Achilles tear in Week 17, is a free agent.
Cleveland's defensive ends accounted for 24.5 of the team's 38 sacks in 2020. Garrett, McKinley, Clowney and the rest of the unit will look to build on that total in 2021.
"All of those guys are very talented players. They all have their own specific styles," Berry said. "We certainly love the physical gifts but the other thing we love is how hard all three of those guys play. You really have to be relentless to be an effective defensive lineman in the NFL and that's a trait we think all three of those individuals have."
Check out photos of Jadeveon Clowney
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney talks to the media after a victory over the Oakland Raiders in an AFC Wild Card NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes during a regular season Week 8 NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the Houston Texans on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Houston. The Texans beat the Dolphins 42-23. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) is introduced prior to an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney talks with the media following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2013, file photo, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney looks to the sidelines between plays in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Columbia, S.C. Clowney finished last season with 11 1/2 tackles for loss and three sacks after getting 23 1/2 and 13 in 2012. He is a top prospect in the upcoming NFL draft. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)
South Carolina football player Jadeveon Clowney arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) celebrates with fans after defeating Clemson 31-17 in an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney smiles as he sits on the bench during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) lines up against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes against Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (65) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jadeveon Clowney, the Houston Texans No. 1 overall draft pick, holds up his new jersey and jokes about where to look during an NFL football press conference Friday, May 9, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Jadeveon Clowney on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
FILE - In this July 16, 2013 file photo, South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney talks with reporters during the Southeastern Conference football media days in Hoover, Ala. For the next four months, you likely won't be able to escape notice of All-American defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, center, talks during South Carolina's pro day in Columbia, S.C., Wednesday, April 2, 2014. (AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) walks off the field after an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. South Carolina won 52-7. (AP Photo/David Quinn)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) rushes in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
NFL player Jadeveon Clowney accepts the award for best play at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) runs on to the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney warms up before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney runs on the field before an NFL preseason football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jadeveon Clowney signs his contract on April 14, 2021 at the Berea Facility
Houston Texans' Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after he sacked Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Jadeveon Clowney, from South Carolina, walks on stage for a group photo with fellow draft prospects before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Jadeveon Clowney, center, from South Carolina, walks off stage after standing for a group photo with fellow draft prospects before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
