When Mike Shannahan has needs on his defensive line he usually looks to Cleveland, and, believe it or not, he did it again.
On Tuesday, the Broncos reached an agreement in principle on a four-year contract with Browns defensive lineman Alvin McKinley. McKinley becomes the eighth former Browns defensive lineman to join the Broncos in the past three offseasons.
The timing of this signing, though, comes at aninteresting time for the Broncos. Denver is starting to unload some of the former Browns, and on Monday, it released former Browns defensive end Courtney Brown because of knee problems.
McKinley's signing probably ends the two-year stay of former Browns defensive tackle Michael Myers, who is an unrestricted free agent.
The McKinley signing also comes at a time the Broncos are trying to finalize a Dan Wilkinson trade. Wilkinson, who was traded to Denver from Miami, has until around the draft to pass a physcal in order for the trade not to be voided. For several weeks, the Broncos couldn't find Wilkinson. He has been in contact with Denver, but there are some thoughts he might need a procedure done on one of his knees.
The Broncos had been talking with Bears defensive tackle Ian Scott, but opted to sign McKinley instead.
John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.