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It appears Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger’s going to be one of the first names off the board this afternoon, when the free agency period opens at 4 p.m.

In fact, he may be close already.

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the Browns “are closing in,” on a deal with Kruger, while noting that “nothing official yet of course.”

Of course, because that would be illegal, and the exact kind of pre-arranged deal the league was careful to scare teams out of making.

The Ravens covered themselves for the eventual loss of Kruger by drafting Courtney Upshaw, but the Browns will view it as a double dip, adding a pass-rush specialist to their defense while weakening a division rival.

Once it becomes official, of course. Which it can’t be. Officially.