The Browns have been dealing with injuries at the defensive tackle position throughout training camp but could be looking at potential additions to add some depth as well as talent.
According to Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot, the team is bringing in Johnathan Hankins, formerly of the Giants and Colts for a work out on Wednesday.
Trevon Coley and Caleb Brantley have both been dealing with injuries and have been in and out of practice during the last two weeks with Coley expected to be out for an extended period of time with a high ankle sprain.
Hankins is one of the best free agents available along with wide receiver Dez Bryant who is also visiting the Browns this week as John Dorsey continues to look for potential upgrades to the roster.
The 26-year-old defensive tackle was released by the Indianapolis Colts in March, one year after signing a three-year, $30 million dollar contract. It was reported that Hankins was cut because of a scheme change as the Colts switched coaching staffs during the offseason.
Hankins appeared in 15 games for the Colts, making 44 tackles (24 solo), 2 sacks and three pass deflections. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 20th best interior defensive lineman in the National Football League.
A second round pick out of Ohio State by the New York Giants in the 2013 NFL Draft, Hankins has 184 career tackles (113 solo), 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 7 pass deflections in 67 career games (56 starts).
He is primarily a run-stopper which is what the Browns previously had in former first-round pick Danny Shelton before the team traded him to New England in March. He’s not much of a pass rusher although he did have a career high 7 sacks in the Giants defense during the 2014 season.
It is just a work out but you have to think the team has some interest in Hankins and wants to see what kind of shape is in and if all goes well, the team could sign him to at least a one-year-deal and give him the kind of money his agent is asking for considering the team has over $50 million in cap space, the most in the league.
[…] The Cleveland Browns hosted a group of free agent defensive tackles on Wednesday, most notably veteran Johnathan Hankins. […]
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