Kruger, who had five tackles (three solo) and a sack in Sunday's loss to the Ravens, finished the season with 53 tackles (36 solo), four forced fumbles and a team-leading 11 sacks.

Kruger sacked the quarterback more than twice as many times as the team's runner-up, posting the highest total of his career. Though the overall tackle total wasn't much to get excited about, IDP owners have to be pleasantly surprised about his ability to get to the quarterback and nose for the football. The six-year veteran should serve a similar role in 2015.

Kruger had seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday's loss to the Panthers.

Kruger's streak of two straight games with a sack came to an end, but he was still able to provide fantasy owners with his highest single-game tackle total of the season.

Kruger had two solo tackles for loss and one sack in Sunday's loss to the Bengals.

Kruger has now recorded a sack in back-to-back weeks, and leads the Browns with 10 on the season.

Kruger had a fumble recovery, a sack and two quarterback hits in Sunday's loss to the Colts.

Kruger and fellow outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo were in the face of opposing quarterback Andrew Luck all day, but were ultimately unable to stop him on the game-winning drive. Kruger has now forced three fumbles on the year, and leads the Browns with his nine sacks.

Kruger had three solo tackles and two sacks in Sunday's victory over the Falcons.

Kruger now has eight sacks on the season, which is good enough for the team lead. He had collected just one sack over the previous three weeks, but was able to get to Matt Ryan twice for his first multi-sack game since Week 8.

Kruger totaled five tackles (four) and two sacks in Sunday's loss to the Steelers.

Kruger had just 4.5 sacks during all of 2013 with the Browns, but he already looks poised to produce higher totals in new coach Mike Pettine's defensive scheme. He's primarily a pass-rusher, however, so it wouldn't be wise to expect high tackle numbers from the 28-year-old. Kruger's career-best of 47 combined tackles was set just last season.

Despite only recording 4.5 sacks, Browns OLB Paul Kruger racked up 51 total pressures in 2013.

Disruption is production. According to Pro Football Focus, Kruger had 39 QB hurries and 8 QB hits on the season. We expect Kruger's sack total to increase under new head coach Mike Pettine. Last season, Pettine's Bills posted 57 sacks and had three players reach double-digits - Mario Williams (13), Kyle Williams (10.5) and Jerry Hughes (10.0).

The Browns will use Paul Kruger primarily at left outside linebacker in new coordinator Ray Horton's 3-4.

Jabaal Sheard will play right outside 'backer, and first-round pick Barkevious Mingo will be the top pass-rushing reserve. NFL Films' Greg Cosell recently suggested Mingo could be employed like Horton did Daryl Washington on passing downs in Arizona, using linemen to occupy blocks and letting Mingo run free to the quarterback. All three rush 'backers will be candidates for 6-10 sacks.

Browns OLBs Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard are alternating sides in OTAs.

It's a minor detail. "It gives us a chance to work them there in case you need to down the road and just see guys from different sides," coach Rob Chudzinski said. Whatever side he's rushing from, Kruger will be an every-down player as the strong-side linebacker. Sheard will have to fight for snaps with first-round pick Barkevious Mingo, and could be limited to sub-packages.

Browns agreed to terms with OLB Paul Kruger on a five-year, $41 million contract.

It reportedly includes $20 million guaranteed. It's a generous haul for a four-year veteran with just 15.5 career sacks, but probably not what Kruger had in mind before the start of free agency. Kruger will line up opposite OLB Jabaal Sheard in new DC Ray Horton's attacking 3-4 defense. Kruger's signing leaves Cliff Avril as the lone remaining pass-rushing jewel on the open market.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora considers the Browns "almost certain" to land free agent Paul Kruger.

La Canfora is calling the union a near certainty after the Baltimore Sun reported the Browns were "closing in" on the pass rusher Tuesday morning. We anticipate Kruger approaching $10 million in annual value on his Browns deal.

Sources tell the Baltimore Sun that the Browns are "closing in" on free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

FoxSports.com's Peter Schrager hears that the Browns, Colts, and Saints are all "very interested" in free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

Schrager tweets that we could see an "old fashion bidding war" on Tuesday. The Browns and Colts have been known Kruger pursuers for the past week, but the Saints are a new team added to the mix. New Orleans is up against the cap right now, but they're expected to clear room before the market opens. The more competition, the better for Kruger's wallet.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah passes along a "a lot of buzz out there" about the Browns being "VERY" aggressive in free agency.

The Browns are among the league leaders in salary cap space and have been connected to a large chunk of free agents via the media. Paul Kruger is believed to be their top target. They may also buy one of the most expensive cornerbacks.

The Baltimore Sun reports the Colts and Browns will soon engage in a "bidding war" for free agent OLB Paul Kruger.

The Browns have been "particularly aggressive" on both Kruger and Cliff Avril since Saturday morning's negotiating window opened. One source predicted Kruger will command $10 million to $12 million per year. Both Cleveland and Indianapolis are flush with cap space and need pass-rush help. It's conceivable that the Kruger will go to the Colts and Avril to the Browns, or vice versa.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on SportsCenter that the Browns and Colts will aggressively pursue OLB Paul Kruger in free agency.

Per Werder, Cleveland is "definitely gonna go after" Kruger and will face "intense competition" from Indianapolis, which reportedly envisions Kruger as Dwight Freeney's replacement opposite Robert Mathis. Werder expects Kruger to be signed quickly after Tuesday's free-agent signing period opens. Kruger, 27, led the Super Bowl Ravens in 2012 sacks. We anticipate he'll command a contract worth in the $12 million range annually; perhaps $60 million over five years.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer expects the Browns to "make a run at" free agents Paul Kruger and Cliff Avril.

Both would be fits in new DC Ray Horton's aggressive 3-4 defense. With Kruger's pass-rushing chops still up for debate, Horton's blitz-heavy scheme would be a nice landing spot. Each player should have robust markets, but Avril's price tag will be steeper.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported on SportsCenter Tuesday that the Ravens don't expect to re-sign free agent Paul Kruger.

Kruger is going to get paid like a premier NFL pass rusher, and GM Ozzie Newsome doesn't see him as that. "The Ravens have pretty much resigned themselves to the likelihood that he's going to play for another team," Werder reported. "And they drafted Courtney Upshaw last year to play that same position." Expect the Browns and Colts to show initial interest in Kruger.

Yahoo's Jason Cole believes free agent OLB Paul Kruger could "blow past" $9 million per year on the open market, and potentially surpass $10 million.

Kruger is not expected to be franchise tagged ahead of Monday's deadline, which means he'll be free to hit the open market. With Joe Flacco due to count just $6.8 million against the cap this season, the Ravens have some breathing room, but don't appear willing to pay Kruger like a pass-rushing linchpin.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer considers free agent OLB Paul Kruger the "best fit" for the Browns.

With the Browns moving to a 3-4 defense, Kruger could be targeted as a pass-rusher to complement Jabaal Sheard in Ryan Horton's aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme. Rotoworld ranks Kruger as the No. 5 free agent available this offseason.