Here are the next key roster decisions facing the Browns

Cleveland Browns introduce Andrew Berry as new general manager

Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry still face roster decisions between now and the start of the league year.cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns made their first real roster moves of the offseason on Monday, releasing four players. All four were brought in by former GM John Dorsey and three arrived last offseason.

The decisions aren’t finished yet. The new league year officially opens March 18 and the tampering period opens two days earlier.

We know about some of the key free agents like Joe Schobert, Rashard Higgins and Kareem Hunt (restricted), but here are other players the Browns face decisions about between now and the new NFL year:

Chris Hubbard

Hubbard signed a five-year, $36.5 million contract in 2018 to play right tackle. He has appeared in 30 games for the Browns, but was graded as the league’s No. 78 tackle by grading website Pro Football Focus.

Hubbard’s cap hit for this season is $7,268,750 and the Browns would save $4,8868,750 if they release him. Tackle is a priority this offseason and the Browns could decide to replace both ends of the offensive line.

Olivier Vernon

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, December 1, 2019

Olivier Vernon was brought in to complement Myles Garrett. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

It still feels crazy to think the Browns could move on from Vernon, but there are reasons to do it. First, he’s due $15.5 million this season. Second, he has struggled with injury the last three seasons, missing 15 games, including six a year ago.

Vernon is a good player and the Browns need a complement on the other side of the line from Garrett. At some point, you’re just chasing your tail trying to save a little money. Vernon’s a free agent after this season, so it’s only a one-year cost at this point.

Christian Kirksey

Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey stretches with teammates

Christian Kirksey is coming back from a torn pectoral. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

Could the Browns be facing an either/or with Kirksey and Schobert? Kirksey signed a 4-year, $38 million dollar extension in 2017 when Sashi Brown was in charge and current GM Andrew Berry was in the building. Kirksey’s last two seasons have ended on injured reserve and Schobert has emerged as a good player.

Kirksey has two years left on his deal and carries a cap hit of $9.075 million this season and $10.45 million next year. The Browns can save $6.675 million this year by releasing Kirksey.

If a deal gets done with Schobert, it doesn’t make sense to keep both. Even if a deal doesn’t get done, Kirksey poses a tough decision, a good player who has dealt with injury the last two seasons.

Sheldon Richardson’s contract

Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills, November 10, 2019

Sheldon Richardson was a bright spot for the Browns this season. (Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)cleveland.com

Richardson was excellent for the Browns in his first season after signing a three-year, $37 million deal last offseason. From a football standpoint, there’s no good reason to do anything except let Richardson play.

The thing to watch here is what the Browns do with Richardson’s contract. He carries cap numbers of over $13 million the next two seasons, a lot for an interior lineman and Larry Ogunjobi’s contract comes up after 2020. The Browns could try to do some cap gymnastics and try to free up some money to reduce Richardson’s cap hit moving forward.

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