3 Browns Who Won't Survive in Cleveland Beyond This Season

The Cleveland Browns clearly have playoff ambitions after spending the entire offseason bolstering their roster on both sides of the ball. While that should translate to success, the renovations undoubtedly leave some players in limbo as it pertains to their future with the organization.

There's a number of players to choose from, but here are three that stick out as virtual locks to not survive in Cleveland beyond the 2020 campaign.

3. Sheldon Richardson

Cleveland Browns DT Sheldon Richardson / Jason Miller/Getty Images

Sheldon Richardson signed a three-year, $37 million contract with the Browns last offseason, and it's fair to say that he failed to live up to that deal in 2019. For the season, the former Pro Bowler registered 62 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six quarterback hits. While he's dominant against the run, those aren't the numbers that Cleveland expected him to post when they landed his signature. Richardson's deal has a potential out after 2020, and the team would save over $12 million by releasing him.

2. Adrian Clayborn

Cleveland Browns DE Adrian Clayborn / Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Cleveland signed Adrian Clayborn to a two-year, $5.75 million contract in free agency this offseason to bolster their depth on the defensive line. The 30-year-old vet has started just four games across the last three seasons, and is now three years removed from logging a career-high 9.5 sacks with the Atlanta Falcons. Clayborn's contract has a potential out after the 2020 season, so if he doesn't impress as a reserve, you can bet that the Browns will cut their losses. That's very much a possibility, considering the former No. 10 overall pick has just 6.5 sacks to his name over the last two campaigns.

1. David Njoku

Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku / Jason Miller/Getty Images

The Browns surprised analysts when it was first reported that they exercised the fifth-year option on David Njoku's contract. We still don't understand the move, as Cleveland made two separate upgrades at the tight end position this offseason. First, it signed free agent Austin Hooper to a monster four-year, $42 million contract. Then, the franchise selected FAU talent Harrison Bryant in the fourth round of the 2020 Draft. If the former Owl impresses as a rookie, don't be surprised if the upcoming season ends up being Njoku's last in The Land.