Well, that's a little better

General Manager Andrew Berry inched closer to his goal of redoing the Browns' defense Thursday with  another signing for what is becoming a crowded seconddary.

Former Ohioan (born in Youngstown) Troy Hill joins ex-Los Angeles Rams teammate John Johnson III with Cleveland after agreeing to a four-year contract averaging $6 million a season. The four-year veteran is expected to play slot corner. 

Inside linebacker Anthony Walker, another four-year vet with the Indianapolis Colts, was in Berea Thursday as the Browns seek to upgrade middle linebacker. Walker's aggressive downhill style of defense would be a perfect fit.

Berry also was active on the offensive side of the ball, resigning wide receiver Rashard Higgins and return specialist JoJo Natson to one-year deals, lessening the possibility of taking a wide receiver in the college draft next month.

Unless some general manager around the National Football League offers Berry a deal he can't refuse for Odell Beckham Jr., it appears the wide receivers room is just about set for 2021 with Jarvis Landry, KhaDarel Hodge, Higgins and Donovan Peoples-Jones.

The defense is starting to come together as well, particularly in the back end with Berry throwing as many cornerback darts at the board as he can. The uncertain physical status of Greedy Williams no doubt is the reason he is loading up at the position.

If he is somehow able to get Walker under contract, along with the renewal of veteran Malcolm Smith's contract, the back seven appears to be in decent shape. Now all he has to do to finish the job is find at least two defensive linemen, most notably Myles Garrett's partner in crime on the other side of the line.

Berry was fiscally tied in knots for the top tier of quarterback punishers and had to settle for Takkarist McKinley, who immediately received a supportive nod from head coach Kevin Stefanski after the one-year, prove-it deal was announced.

"Takk is a skilled young player with tremendous upside," he said via a club statement. "We like his pass rush ability and the way he's gotten after the quarterback throughout his young career. Defensive line was a position . . . we wanted to address during free agency and we are excited to add Takk and the impactful tools he possesses to the group that will help make the plays we need along the line." 

First of all, I equate the word "upside" with "potential". Essentially, veteran players saddled with either of those nouns are not good. But from a public relations standpoint, coaches cannot say that. Too negative. They choose the more positive "upside" and "potential."

McKinley has banked four years in the NFL with just 17.5 sacks. His consistent inconsistency has been a career lowlight. There is no "upside" with him unless you take into consideration his age (25). Upside lasts just so long. His upside has been on the downside for a couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, it's interesting Berry is issuing multi-year deals for the secondary now after going cheap back there last season and ultimately paying a heavy price. The stability and vast increase in talent should be enough to justify the fiscal moves.

As mentioned before, the addition of Johnson gives defensive coordinator Joe Woods many more options with his three-safety look, assuming, of course, the healthy return of Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Grant Delpit.

Addressing the defensive line, more probable than possible for Berry in either the draft or trade route, should complete the task as his team is getting not only better, but younger. Reuniting Johnson and Hill is more than just a promising start.