Last offseason, the Cleveland Browns overhauled the defensive line and it was a big reason for their success in 2023.

Cleveland now has Maurice Hurst, Shelby Harris, and Jordan Elliott all set to be free agents. The Browns will again have to make moves this off-season again on the interior.

One name that pops up and could make some sense for the Browns to bring in is San Francisco 49ers DT Javon Kinlaw.

Why would the Browns go after Javon Kinlaw?

There are a few reasons. Yes, the former first-round pick has not lived up to his draft stock. San Francisco did not pick up his fifth-year option, so he hits the market a year sooner than many first-round picks.

Kinlaw isn’t going to be expensive and we’ll get to that later. His best season did come in 2023 when he recorded a career-high in sacks (3.5), tackles for loss (4), and quarterback hits (6).

Cleveland has had some luck in the past taking in projects and it working out. This past season, Hurst was a very good player for Cleveland until he got hurt. He was on his way to his best season in the NFL after being unable to make it through a full season ever since 2019. Another one is Malik McDowell, a second-round pick in 2017 who made his only 14 starts in his NFL career in Cleveland during the 2021 season.

In 2023, Kinlaw played in 17 games after just a combined 10 in the previous season. There is a possibility that last season can finally propel him into being who he can be in the NFL. An aggressive giant at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds has a place in the NFL, maybe the next one is Cleveland.

How much will Javon Kinlaw cost in free agency?

Kinlaw is very much going to be affordable for most teams. According to our cap experts here at A to Z Sports, Kinlaw is going to be getting a one-year deal.

Projected Contract: 1 year, $5.25M, $5.25M APY, $2M GTD

Kinlaw’s 2023 season showed some promise as he recorded more pressures (31) than he had in his first three seasons combined. He will look to find an opportunity to get a full season as a starter to re-establish his value.

There has been no connection between the Browns and Kinlaw, as the 26-year-old was just playing for a Super Bowl. It’ll be interesting to see if the Browns have any interest in getting him off of the West Coast.