The Cleveland Browns were one of the most popular picks to challenge for the AFC Championship heading into the 2021 season. In fairness, what was there not to love? An always motivated Baker Mayfield playing for a potential contract extension, buddies Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. holding it down in the wide receiver room, a MUCH improved defense, and of course Batman himself, Nick Chubb (with his Robin, the Browns' offensive line).

Surely the 2021 season would be the best since the Browns returned to Cleveland in 1999…

It wasn't.

The Browns would, unfortunately, fall to 8-9 on the season and watch their division rivals the Cincinnati Bengals board a plane to LA to challenge the Los Angeles Rams for the Super Bowl. There is a laundry list of reasons for the underwhelming season, but none stuck out more than the issues between Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. Tension in the locker room resulted in Beckham's dismissal from the team, after an Instagram post from his father surfaced where he criticized Baker Mayfield. That, coupled with Mayfield's copious amount of injuries and accuracy issues was enough to effectively paralyze an offense that on paper was set to be one the league's most prolific.

Fast forward to the offseason, and things look drastically different. Beckham is a Super Bowl champion with the Rams, Jarvis Landry is going on Twitter tirades, and Baker Mayfield's future with the team is in jeopardy. One thing the Cleveland Browns and general manager Andrew Berry cannot afford to do in the midst of all of this turmoil is create more problems for themselves. Below are two free agents the Browns should avoid signing to do just that.

Free agents Browns must avoid signing

2. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Wide Receiver

One free agent name that keeps making the rounds in the Browns rumor mill this offseason is a former AFC North rival, and that is former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Browns should be wary of Smith-Schuster for a number of reasons, most notably being his struggles staying on the field. In just five seasons, only twice has Smith-Schuster managed to log a full season. 2021 was by far his worst, playing in five games and recording only 15 catches for 129 yards after suffering a shoulder injury.

Even at full strength, there is a debate that Juju Smith-Schuster lacks what it takes to be a true top wideout, which is what the Cleveland Browns desperately need in the wake of the Odell Beckham Jr. saga. If Cleveland has a serious plan to bring in a wide receiver that could theoretically be a true number one, they would be further ahead bringing in Mike Williams or Chris Godwin.

Otherwise, with the 2022 NFL Draft being loaded with quality wide receivers, the Browns may be in a position to use their 13th-overall selection to fill the glaring need at the position. That, and who could forget Smith-Schuster's “Browns is the Browns” comment?

1. Harold Landry, Edge Rusher

Avoiding Harold Landry has nothing to do with his Pro Bowl-level ability. Rather, this avoidance is more closely related to roster management and managing cap space more specifically. Landry would be a welcomed addition opposite superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett after recording 12 sacks last season, but at a projected market value north of $20 million per year, the Browns would be best suited to bring back veteran Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney, who recorded nine sacks last season for Cleveland, was an instant fit in a much improved Joe Woods defense. Clowney also has a projected market value of just over $13 million, making him about 32.5% cheaper than Landry, with no Earth-shattering drop-off in production.

While $6.5 million doesn't seem like much, every dollar counts when it comes to managing cap space. The Browns have a handful of potential re-signs to consider (David Njoku and Anthony Walker Jr.), and bringing back Clowney at a hometown discount would allow more flexibility to not only bring back those important pieces but to also go out and fill holes like the ones in the wide receiver room.