Former Cleveland Browns cornerback Terrance Mitchell plans to sign with the Houston Texans, an unnamed source told NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport.
Mitchell, 28, is expected to sign a two-year contract worth up to $7.5 million.
Free-agent contracts won’t become official until 4 p.m. ET Wednesday.
#Browns FA CB Terrance Mitchell is expected to sign with the #Texans, source said. A tough, physical corner lands in Houston with a 2-year deal worth up to $7.5M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2021
The Browns were expected to let Mitchell test free agency.
Fellow cornerback Kevin Johnson is also an unrestricted free agent.
In 2020, Mitchell started all 16 games for the Browns, playing 1,225 defensive snaps, which accounted for 99.4% of the Browns’ defensive plays.
Mitchell filled in for the injured Greedy Williams, who missed the entire 2020 season with a shoulder injury.
The Browns expect Williams to return to the field in 2021.
On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported the Browns are also still looking to add free-agent players at the cornerback and defensive line positions.
It comes after Monday’s news of the Browns agreeing to terms with former Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III.
Monday marked the start of the legal negotiating window with free-agent players.
From what I hear, #Browns are still monitoring the market at CB and DL, even as some prospects come off the big board. May let the market cool off just a little.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 16, 2021
Last season, Mitchell had a career-high 65 tackles, 13 passes defended, three forced fumbles, two tackles for a loss and zero interceptions.
Pro Football Focus gave Mitchell a 68.2 grade in 2020, which ranked 33rd among NFL corners.
Terrance Mitchell is signing a 2-year deal worth up to $7.5M with the Texans, per @RapSheet
Mitchell: 68.2 PFF Grade in 2020 (33rd) pic.twitter.com/wtTNmPmRJK
— PFF (@PFF) March 17, 2021
In three seasons for the Browns, Mitchell played in 39 games.
In 2018, a broken arm forced Mitchell to miss eight games.
Spotrac.com shows Mitchell made $9,825,243 in three seasons with the Browns.
The seven-year veteran cornerback played for the Browns from 2018-2020, the Kansas City Chiefs from 2016-2017, the Dallas Cowboys in 2015 and the Chicago Bears from 2014-2015.
New Texans general manager Nick Caserio has spent the early part of free agency making defensive upgrades.
In 2020, the Texans had one of the NFL’s worst defenses.
The Texans have agreed to terms with linebacker Christian Kirksey, outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, safety Terrence Brooks and defensive end Derek Rivers.
NEXT: Browns Still Looking To Add CB, DL Help In Free Agency
