Cleveland Browns Sign 6’5” Wideout Ben Patterson, Pivot to Top Veteran Edge Rusher Targets After Public Za’Darius Smith Drama

The late August football landscape in Northeast Ohio is moving at breakneck speed. As training camp battles intensify and depth charts begin to crystallize, the Cleveland Browns find themselves navigating a dramatic double-sided narrative. On one hand, the franchise has infused immediate physical presence into its passing attack by signing towering 6-foot-5 wide receiver Ben Patterson. On the other hand, the front office is forced to recalibrate its defensive strategy after a high-profile free-agency pursuit dissolved into public media chaotic fallout.

Together, these developments highlight an offseason defined by tactical shifts, roster urgency, and a commitment to re-establishing a tough, physical identity under head coach Todd Monken.

A New Red-Zone Weapon: The Arrival of Ben Patterson

When evaluating modern NFL wide receivers, raw physical dimensions are often the first trait to capture a coaching staff’s imagination. In the case of Ben Patterson, his presence on the field is impossible to miss. Measuring 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 220 pounds, Patterson brings a physical frame that stands out even among elite professional athletes.

Patterson’s journey to Cleveland represents the classic story of an under-the-radar prospect earning an opportunity through sheer physical upside. Coming out of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB), Patterson proved to be a big-play threat during his final college season, hauling in 32 receptions for 678 yards and five touchdowns, while posting an explosive long reception of 75 yards. Despite going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, he caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the spring. After being waived by Jacksonville in early August, the Browns moved quickly to claim him, clearing room on their 90-man roster by waiving offensive guard Jack Conley.

Patterson arrives in Cleveland at a pivotal juncture in the preseason. With secondary wideouts like Cedric Tillman and Jamari Thrash nursing undisclosed injuries, depth reps in practice have become immensely valuable. Furthermore, head coach Todd Monken indicated that if joint practice sessions against the Buffalo Bills go according to plan, Cleveland’s primary starters—including wide receivers Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston, and KC Concepcion—will likely sit out Saturday’s preseason contest.

That decision opens up a massive stage for fringe roster contenders. For Patterson, Saturday’s game is not merely an exhibition; it is a live audition to demonstrate whether his rare combination of height and catch-radius can translate into a permanent 53-man roster spot or a coveted practice squad position.

The Monken Philosophy: Size, Complementary Roles, and Old-School Toughness

Patterson’s signing is far from a random depth move; it directly reflects the broader offensive vision being cultivated by Todd Monken. Throughout his coaching career, Monken has approached offensive design like a master craftsman, meticulously balancing skill sets to ensure every receiver serves a specific tactical purpose.

During previous seasons in Cleveland, the front office frequently leaned toward smaller, quicker slot receivers, often leaving the offense lacking a imposing perimeter threat in tight-window situations. Monken has intentionally reversed that trend. The vision was made clear when Cleveland drafted 6-foot-4 wideout Denzel Boston to complement quick-twitch playmaker KC Concepcion. Monken explicitly outlined this strategy, emphasizing that taking a bigger body gave the offense a dedicated size matchup in the red zone that had previously been absent.

By adding the 6-foot-5 Patterson alongside Boston, Cleveland now boasts multiple receivers who can physically overpower defensive backs near the goal line. This influx of length coincides with Monken’s wider effort to restore traditional, hard-nosed football elements to Cleveland. From introducing a dedicated fullback into the rotation to dialing up option concepts that capitalize on quarterback mobility, Monken is steering the Browns away from predictable passing schemes and toward an aggressive, physical identity.

Free Agency Drama: The Za’Darius Smith Debacle and Media Fallout

While the offense continues to build out its physical blueprint, the defensive side of the ball experienced a sudden shift following a high-profile free-agency misfire.

Earlier in the week, local media reports ignited excitement across Dawg Pound nation when insider reports claimed the Browns were on the verge of finalizing a reunion with veteran three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith. Having posted solid production during his previous stints in Cleveland, Smith was viewed as the ideal veteran complement to bolster the team’s defensive front.

However, the narrative took an unexpected turn on social media. Smith publicly responded directly to local reports, writing, “I have a workout tomorrow morning with a different team who told you to post that?” Though Smith promptly deleted the comment, his words proved prescient. Within 48 hours, news broke that Smith had officially signed a one-year contract worth $6 million (with incentives up to $8 million) with the Atlanta Falcons, reuniting with former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Coming on the heels of missing out on another targeted veteran edge rusher, Jadeveon Clowney, the Smith situation left Cleveland’s front office searching for viable options to shore up their pass-rush depth before the regular season begins.

The Emergency Blueprint: Top Free-Agent Edge Targets for Cleveland

With top reunion candidates off the board, General Manager Andrew Berry and the Browns defensive staff must pivot toward alternative free agents. Fortunately for Cleveland, several intriguing veteran pass rushers remain available on the market:

Joey Bosa (31 years old): A household name with deep roots in Ohio from his collegiate stardom at Ohio State, Bosa remains one of the most technical edge rushers in football. When healthy, his speed-to-power transition and high-energy motor allow him to consistently disrupt opposing backfields. While national insiders like Adam Schefter have speculated Bosa could wait to sign with a mid-season contender, a return to Ohio to play for a contender could offer a compelling fit.

Haason Reddick (31 years old): Reddick stands as one of the most pure, explosive edge rushers available. Having recorded double-digit sack campaigns in recent seasons—including 11-sack and 16-sack years—Reddick has demonstrated an uncanny ability to force fumbles and create game-changing turnovers. His veteran presence would immediately upgrade Cleveland’s passing-down sub-packages.

Derek Barnett (30 years old): A former first-round pick who spent recent time with the Houston Texans, Barnett brings durable, blue-collar play to the edge. Coming off back-to-back 5-sack seasons while appearing in all 17 games for one of the league’s top defensive fronts, Barnett represents a reliable, high-floor option who understands how to operate in a rotation.

Bilal Nichols (29 years old): At 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds, Nichols offers a slightly different physical profile as a interior/edge hybrid. His strength and leverage make him an intriguing scheme fit for an aggressive 4-3 front, where his ability to collapse the pocket from multiple alignments could unlock unique pass-rush packages.

Yetur Gross-Matos (28 years old): Recently released by the San Francisco 49ers, Gross-Matos is the youngest veteran option on the market. Fitting cleanly into the core age bracket of Cleveland’s defensive nucleus, a fresh start in a aggressive 4-3 scheme could allow him to recapture the form that made him a highly regarded draft prospect.

Navigating the Preseason Stretch

As the Browns prepare for their upcoming preseason matchup against Buffalo, the organization finds itself in an active phase of roster building. The addition of Ben Patterson underscores a commitment to fielding a larger, more physical receiving corps tailored to Todd Monken’s schematic preferences. Simultaneously, the search for pass-rushing reinforcement highlights the relentless demands of NFL roster management.

Whether Patterson can transform his massive 6-foot-5 frame into a regular-season roster spot, or whether Cleveland successfully lands a marquee pass rusher like Bosa or Reddick, one thing remains clear: the Cleveland Browns front office is leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of building a complete, physical contender for the upcoming season.