NFL free agency: Browns encouraged to sign playoff star

With the 2026 NFL combine in full swing, the 2026 NFL draft is right now the focal point of the NFL offseason. For the Cleveland Browns, the offensive line needs to be fixed, while the options to add to the quarterback room are quite limited. The other area that has gotten a lot of attention has been the Browns receiver room.

Whether it is bringing Jordyn Tyson to play in the same city as his brother or rebuilding the room through NFL free agency, GM Andrew Berry has three traits that he is looking for at the position. The problem in free agency is that five teams are required to spend $250 million for this season alone, which will likely lead to bigger contracts than the free agent class deserves.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz (someone I shared dinner with at the NFL combine this week) has encouraged Berry to bring WR/KR Rashid Shaheed to Cleveland this offseason:

There’s more to the return game than just having a fast return man. The blocking matters. Still, the addition of Shaheed would be a big step forward for a Browns special teams unit that I had ranked 32nd on punt return value and 28th on kick return value through my special teams DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) in 2025.

Shaheed would also be a strong downfield receiver for a unit that desperately needs improvement. Last season, starting for the Saints and then the reigning Super Bowl champions, he had seven games (including playoffs) with at least 50 receiving yards. No Browns receiver eclipsed Shaheed’s 687 receiving yards in 2025.

In four years in the NFL, Shaheed has caught 153 passes for 2,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also returned four kicks, including three punts, for touchdowns. He had a punt return in the middle of December:

Then, opening Seattle’s playoff game with San Francisco by returning the kickoff for a touchdown:

Pro Football Focus is projecting that Shaheed will sign a three-year deal worth $42 million, with $24 million guaranteed.

For Cleveland, Shaheed won’t fill the top receiver need that they have, but would be a useful piece who can make players in the return game as well. Given the amount of cap space available and needs around the NFL, as well as Shaheed’s exciting highlights, it is possible that the former undrafted free agent could exceed most contract projections.

How would you feel about the Browns spending on Shaheed in NFL free agency?

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