For the team’s three linebacker positions, the Browns now have eight players on their roster:

— Four promising young players whom Butch drafted: Kevin Bentley, Andra Davis, Ben Taylor, Chaun Thompson

— Two versatile veterans, former free agents also signed by Butch: Brant Boyer, Barry Gardner

— Two more developmental prospects: Sherrod Coates, Mason Unck.

So this Warrick Holdman must be something special, since the Browns are trying to lure this former starter, released by the Bears, to town with a free agent deal.

I’m all for upgrading the roster by adding proven starters into the mix. But I wonder how this signing would affect the salary cap. Some remnant of a TV commercial floats across my brain, going, “It’s complicated, baby.” Would a veteran need to be cut loose (besides Couch, that is)? I’m thinking about Gardner, Griffith, Courtney Brown, and Ross Verba as possibilities, in that order, depending on health and other options at those positions. Also, would another free agent contract prevent the Browns from trading up in the draft to take Robert Gallery, since the terms become dearer with each step up the draft ladder? I don’t know. I just wonder what they have up their sleeve by courting a discarded player at a position group that’s already, if not strong, then at least pretty solid.