2026 NFL free agency rankings: Browns land near bottom of ESPN insider's list

ESPN’s Ben Solak just dropped his free agency rankings, and he has the Cleveland Browns sitting at a below average 21 out of 32 teams. While a bottom-half ranking usually triggers a "here we go again" reflex in Northeast Ohio, a closer look at Solak’s logic suggests he might be significantly underrating the nastiness Andrew Berry just added to the offensive line.

Solak’s biggest point of contention? The bag Cleveland handed to former Chargers guard Zion Johnson. He’s skeptical of making Johnson the 15th highest-paid guard in the league, noting that fans in L.A. were happy to see him walk after some shaky pass-protection.

More: Third time's the charm? Why the Browns must sign this recently released veteran QB

However, here’s where the "21st" ranking feels a bit disrespectful: Solak actually admits he loves the Elgton Jenkins signing, calling him a potential "steal of the cycle." Jenkins was an All-Pro caliber guard in Green Bay before a positional pivot to center and some contract drama soured the relationship. The question is where will Jenkins play. If Joel Bitonio returns for one more season then the newcomer will be snapping the ball. If the legend retires, then Jenkins moves to his more successful left guard spot. 

Add in Tytus Howard at right tackle, Teven Jenkins for depth, and a defensive spark plug like Quincy Williams at linebacker, and you have a roster that looks a lot more physical than a bottom third ranking implies. Solak thinks the Browns should have played it cheap while waiting for the Deshaun Watson era to inevitably end after 2026, but Berry is clearly doubling down on the trenches instead.

If this "Trench Mafia" protects the QB and opens lanes, 21st is going to look like a massive oversight by mid-October.

More Browns News:

• Grade for Browns offseason moves after first wave of NFL free agency
• 'Take us both!': Ty Simpson urges Browns to draft him and Carnell Tate in bold pitch to Kay Adams
• Browns mock draft roundup: How Cleveland’s O-line overhaul flips the first round strategy
• Browns sign Pro Bowl center Elgton Jenkins and keep versatile free agent
• Grading the Quincy Williams signing after losing star LB Devin Bush