The Cleveland Browns signed free agent offensive tackle Jack Conklin on Monday.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the deal is for three years and $42 million. The deal includes $30 million guaranteed with Conklin earning $20 million in the first year of the deal. The Tennessee Titans had declined Conklin’s option for 2020, which would have paid him roughly $12.9 million.
Jack Conklin agreed to a 3-year deal with the Browns for $42M with $30M fully guarantee, per @RosenhausSports. He earns $20mil in the first year. Wanted to keep it short due to the projected increases in the salary cap. Conklin will only be 28 when this deal expires.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Conklin will play right tackle for the Browns, replacing Chris Hubbard. He was the second-best free agent tackle behind Anthony Castonzo, according to Sam Monson and Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus.
“Conklin is the best right tackle on the market, and he’s coming off a regular season which he finished 12th overall among tackles in PFF grade (78.3) and fifth in run-blocking grade (81.0),” said Monson and Palazzolo. “Conklin has some issues in pass protection, as his pass-blocking grade ranks just 49th on true pass sets over the last two seasons, and he’s on the higher end among offensive tackles receiving help (double teams, chip blocks, etc). Still, Conklin is a versatile run blocker who finished with the No. 6 grade on zone runs and the No. 14 mark on gap runs. He’s been one of the better right tackles in the league since being drafted in the first round in 2016.”
Conklin wasn’t the only player to reach a deal with the Browns on Monday. In addition to Conklin, the Browns signed tight end Austin Hooper to a deal that makes Hooper the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Signing Conklin was a good move for the Browns because they need help at the offensive tackle position.
