The Cleveland Browns didn’t win a whole lot at the end of the Kevin Stefanski era. But the organization hopes winning NFL free agency this offseason could help set up first-year head coach Todd Monken for success. One potential free agent target for the Browns to begin making that happen is left tackle Rasheed Walker.
A lot of NFL pundits see Walker as one of the best NFL free agents this offseason. USA Today’s Tyler Dragon argued this week the Browns are the best fit for Walker.
“The Browns acquired right tackle Tytus Howard in a trade, but they still have a vacancy at left tackle. Dawand Jones is recovering from a serious leg injury,” Dragon wrote. “Cleveland ranked in the bottom half of the NFL in both pass block and run block win rate, per ESPN. Walker is the top tackle available.”
Just as Dragon has, NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal and The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked Walker as the top free agent tackle this offseason. With that in mind, it’s exciting Dragon sees the Browns as such a great fit.
Walker started 49 games at left tackle for the Green Bay Packers from 2023-25. He earned above average Pro Football Focus player grades in all three years.
Based on the PFF grades, Walker particularly excelled in pass protection.
Browns Named ‘Best Fit’ for LT Rasheed Walker
Above average starting caliber left tackles rarely reach free agency. So while Walker isn’t an elite option, he’s an immediate upgrade.
But not only is he a plug-and-play type guy, Walker is the best left tackle the Browns could find this offseason to help the quarterback’s blindside right away.
Rosenthal has Walker rated as the No. 19 free agent overall this offseason.
If the Browns are going to sign Walker, though, they will have to open the wallet. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected the left tackle’s free agency value to be $82 million on a 4-year deal.
Spotrac made a very similar estimation — $81.14 million on a 4-year contract.
Browns Already Making Moves at Tackle This Offseason
As Dragon mentioned, the Browns have already begun improving at tackle this offseason.
Cleveland acquired Tytus Howard from the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick on March 2. After the trade, the team signed Howard to a 2-year, $45 million extension.
Howard should start at right tackle for the Browns next season.
The following day, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Browns released veteran tackle Cornelius Lucas. The move only saved Cleveland $2 million in cap space, but every little bit could help with the Browns potentially trying to sign Walker.
Whether or not the Browns can or want to pay significant contracts to two new tackles this offseason still has to be answered. But if Cleveland is serious about having better tackle play in 2026, that’s the most logical way to do it.
Howard’s 2-year deal also means minimum long-term commitment at right tackle. That could help Cleveland feel confident about signing Walker to a 4-year contract.
Walker started his career as a seventh-round pick for the Packers. Green Bay selected him at No. 249 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Browns Pegged Ideal Fit for Top Pending NFL Free Agent