Former LA Rams return specialist WR Jojo Natson signs with Browns

LA Rams’ former return specialist WR Jojo Natson is signing with the Cleveland Browns are reportedly signing Natson to a one-year deal for $1 million

The LA Rams had more talent on the 2019 roster than many gave the team credit for. Yes, injuries plagued the team throughout the entire season, particularly on the offensive line. But the roster from top to bottom contributed in many ways.

One of the team’s seldom sung heroes, or at least contributor, was kick-return specialist Jojo Natson.  We anticipated Natson’s difficulty to remain with the team, but still viewed his contribution to the return game as a positive for the team.

In our restricted free agency analysis, we outlined the fact that Natson was a niche player who would only fill a specific need for the team.  And we estimated his NFL value at $1 million / year or less.   Fortunately for him, he landed a team at the upper end of our estimate.

While Natson may not be a swiss army knife, he can be very good in the right role on the right team. That “right role” will very likely what the Cleveland Browns intend for Natson. Per statistics on FoxSports.com, the Browns were ranked 21st in kick returns in the NFL in 2019. In the same statistical chart, the LA Rams were ranked 17th.

The Browns have plenty of cap space for 2020, as of March 19, 2020, Spotrac.com estimated their available space at nearly $56 million. The Browns also boast seven picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, so the team has options available.

But we’ve preached the mandate for NFL teams to be flexible in the NFL Draft. Allowing a team to select undervalued talent increases the overall talent on the team.  While the Browns can draft a return specialist in the 2020 NFL Draft, adding Natson removes the mandate of doing so.