Cleveland Browns Free Agency Guide

Browns Free Agency Guide

Needs: WR, DL, QB, TE, OT

Cap Space: $53,777,486

*Free Agency Update

2/27/15- The Browns signed Quarterback Josh McCown to a 3-year deal worth $14 million. The signing of McCown likely means he will enter the offseason as the starting quarterback and compete with Johnny Manziel. McCown appealed to the Browns for his football intelligence and his wiliness to mentor Manziel. *

3/6/15- The Browns resigned free agent punter Spencer Lanning and running back Shaun Draughn.

 

Browns Free Agent Priorities

 

1. Tashaun Gipson– Gipson solidified himself this past season as one of the games primer ball hawking safeties. Gipson had an impressive 2014 season racking up 52 tackles, 8 pass deflections, 6 interceptions and 1 touchdown. His season was cut short to 11 games due to a knee injury. Gipson is 25 and coming off his best pro season where he was named to the Pro Bowl. Gipson reads quarterbacks well and has great closing speed to make plays on the ball. The Browns must sign Gipson long term to keep the foundation of the secondary in tact with Gipson and Haden leading the way. Gipson will likely be looking for a deal worth about 7 million and up. The Browns signed safety Donte Whitner to a 4 year 28 million dollar deal last offseason. If the two sides can’t reach an agreement the Browns will place a first round tender on Gipson. Gipson is a restricted free agent meaning the Browns have control over keeping Gipson. The tender would be 1 year and worth slightly over 3 million. Which means any team that signs Gipson would give their first round pick to the Browns.

Estimated yearly salary: $ 7 million

 

2. Buster Skrine – Skrine is also coming off his best pro season. Skrine was challenged a lot this season as teams stayed away from throwing at Joe Haden. Skrine is undersized but plays physical and showed he is capable of playing as a team’s number two corner. If Justin Gilbert can step up and make strides this offseason, the Browns would love to use Skrine as more of a slot corner. With his size and tools Skrine could be more productive playing in the slot opposed to the outside. Skrine will be a hot commodity in this year’s cornerback market. Teams will see the value Skrine brings to a defense. For the Browns to retain Skrine his starting salary will be $5 million a year, but expect Skrine’s price tag to be driven up. The Browns must be careful not to over pay for Skrine. The Browns have a big investment on Justin Gilbert and have to many other holes to fill to spend freely at Skrine. Skrine will be able to get more money elsewhere.

Estimated yearly salary: $ 5 million

 

3. Craig Robertson- Robertson is coming off a terrific bounce back season from his dreadful 2013. Robertson was rated one of the last linebackers in pass and run coverage in 2013 according to Pro Football Focus. However in 2014, Robertson had 92 tackles and 2 interceptions. He also produced a positive 2.2 PFF rating and played solid in Mike Pettine’s defense. Like Gipson, Robertson is also a restricted free agent. Robertson was a key contributor and the Browns would love to have his services again. With only one solid season of play, he doesn’t warrant a long-term contract. The Browns should place a second round tender on Robertson and reevaluate his contract status after the 2015 season. The second round tender would cost the Browns a little over $2 million to keep Robertson’s services this season.

Estimated salary $2 million

 

4. Let Key Players Walk – The Browns need to let Jordan Cameron, Brian Hoyer, Jabaal Sheard, and Ahtyba Rubin sign elsewhere. The Browns should not sign these free agents above, and must use its money on other needs. Cameron and Sheard will want big contracts where the Browns can’t afford to throw their money around. They have money but must spend it wisely.

5. Minor Re-signings – Ishmaa’ily Kitchen and Johnson Bademosi are low cost re-signings the team should make. Kitchen provides defensive depth and Bademosi is one of the best special team players in the league.

 

Free Agency: Possible Additions, Players to Go After

After addressing the team’s current free agents the Browns will still have plenty of money to use on free agents. These are my predictions on reasonable free agents the Browns could potentially land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Trent Cole, Outside Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles, Age 32 – Veteran linebacker Trent Cole has been in the league for 10 seasons – all with the Eagles. Last year, he had 52 tackles and 6.5 sacks, making his career totals at 569 and 52 respectively. Cole is a “pass-rush specialist” and loves to create havoc for opposing quarterbacks, something the Browns desperately need with the likely loss of free agent Jabaal Sheard. Unfortunately, Trent Cole prefers to play in a 4-3 defense, and here in Cleveland he would serve as a backer for coach Pettine’s multi-front scheme. Many teams desire Cole’s services, so it’ll be tough to snag the vet away from teams like the Bucs, Colts, Cardinals, 49ers or Seahawks – all visiting or have already visited with Cole.

Estimated yearly salary: $4-5 million

 

2. Dan Williams, Nose Tackle, Arizona Cardinals, Age 28 – Williams is a traditional 3-4-nose tackle weighing in at 327 pounds. Williams is a run stuffer. Williams’ strength as a run defender is that he stacks and sheds defenders well. He clogs up running lanes, something the Browns are in dire need of. The Browns were dead last in run defense in 2014. Williams would provide the Browns with a stout run stopper to build around. In 2014, Williams graded in at +13.7 against the run. Williams also graded +9.1 in run stoppage; one spot behind Ndamukong Suh. However, Williams won’t provide the Browns with much pass rushing ability. He lacks speed and burst off the line of scrimmage to penetrate into the backfield. But within the structure of the 3-4 defense, Williams won’t be asked to put pressure on the quarterback. His only job will be to stop the run. Williams is a solid player. He is the type of immediate impact starter the Browns would love to add. There is a good free agency class for defensive lineman this season so he won’t demand a huge contract like Suh, Nick Fairley or even Terrance Knighton.

Estimated yearly salary $6 million

 

3. Cecil Shorts-Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars, Age 27

The Mount Union product has produced a solid NFL career. Shorts is listed at 6′, 202 pounds. The Browns are already small at receiver and Shorts wouldn’t be helping that category. However, the Browns would love Shorts’ production and his capability to play on the outside and be a second receiver. Shorts had 53 receptions and 557 yards last season.

Estimated yearly Salary: $4 million

 

4. Trent Cole-Outside Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles, Age 32

The Eagles released Cole this past week. Cole is a pass rushing linebacker, which Mike Pettine loves in his defense. Cole produced 6.5 sacks this past year. The 11-year veteran out of Cincinnati could provide more leadership and a much-needed boost rushing the passer. Cole will be in high demand around the league for his valuable services. 

5. Brian Hartline- Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins, Age 28 – A local kid from Canton who had a successful college career playing at Ohio State. The Browns need to address the receiver position and Hartline is a small piece of that puzzle. The Browns won’t be in the running with top WR free agents so Hartline makes sense not just because he’s a former Buckeye, but because he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2012 and 2013. Hartline’s production fell in 2014 due to lack of targets and the Dolphins incorporating rookie Jarvis Landry. Hartline is a possession, move-the-sticks-type receiver that is valuable for any quarterback to have. Hartline’s role would be similar to Miles Austin but he is quicker, younger and healthier.

Estimated yearly salary: $ 3 million

6. Andre Holmes – Wide Receiver, Oakland Raiders, Age 26

Holmes is a 4-year pro out of the small college of Hillsdale. Holmes had a breakout season recording 47 receptions 693 yards and 4 touchdowns. Oakland placed an original round tender on Holmes. The Browns should pursue Holmes who will likely get a better deal elsewhere. Holmes will be a steady number two receiver paired alongside another top option. In the right system Holmes could be the best bargain buy of free agency.

Estimated yearly Salary: $4 million 

The Browns will be active this offseason with over $53 million in cap space. The team must address the front seven of their defense while adding play making wide receivers. The Browns will be a much more improved team with a handful of these free agent targets.

Top image: cleveland.com