Browns: Building secondary in free agency vs. 2021 NFL Draft

The final verdict: free agency or the draft?

The Browns probably plan to invest in both free agency and the draft to improve their secondary. If the team ignored one for the other, that decision would be brash.

However, upgrading the secondary in the draft seems to be the answer for the Browns. Free agency may contain great pieces for the secondary, but it lacks the versatility that the draft provides. The draft also lacks defensive end talent, while free agency has some great pass rushers. The Browns probably plan to focus on acquiring pass rushing talent and adding to their secondary through the draft.

Also, the Browns do not have to play rookies immediately. Even if Grant Delpit and Greedy Williams do not exactly return to form, they are still players who have some level of experience compared to the rookies. Best case scenario, both stay healthy and productive and the Browns have a young, talented rotation.

The cap flexibility is also important. The Browns have too many needs for them all to be fixed in free agency, so using the draft keeps the team flexible in who they can pay. The Browns can improve it secondary through both the draft and open market. However, the verdict is clear. The draft is the perfect place for the team to fix its secondary and make the team a better contender.