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Report: Cleveland Browns sign LB Adarius Taylor

According to ESPN's Jordan Schultz, the Cleveland Browns have agreed to a 2-year deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Adarius Taylor.

One day after trading for wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey has made another move -- albeit, not one of the blockbuster variety.

According to ESPN's Jordan Schultz, the Browns have agreed to a 2-year deal with former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Adarius Taylor. Per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the contract is worth $5 million, $2.55 million of which is guaranteed.

Undrafted out of Florida Atlantic in 2014, Taylor began his career with the Carolina Panthers, recording 12 tackles in 10 games. After beginning the 2015 season as a member of the Panthers' practice squad, he was signed by the Buccaneers, who he primarily played in a special teams role with.

The following year, he continued his special teams duties, while also providing depth in Tampa Bay's linebacking corps. In 2017, he began to see more consistent playing time on defense, before tallying 60 tackles, 4 of which came for a loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception in 10 starts for the Buccaneers in 2018.

In signing Taylor, the Browns bolster a depleted linebacker depth chart by adding a proven special teams contributor. Following the release of Jamie Collins last week, Cleveland still has starters Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert under contract, with second-year player Genard Avery possessing the potential to fill the void left by Collins.

The signing of Taylor marks Cleveland's third free agent addition since the league's negotiating window opened on Monday, with the Browns having also agreed to terms with defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson and tight end Demetrius Harris.

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