League-wide free agency begins March 13th. The Browns have stated all along they prefer to build the team through the draft, but will take a look at the players available in free agency. Obviously the team needs to upgrade the receiving corps. This is one hole that more than likely needs to be filled with both a draft choice and a free agent acquisition.
So who is available this off-season and who should the Browns target? Let’s take a look at the list:
Early Doucet (ARZ)
Harry Douglas (ATL)
Eric Weems (ATL)
Steve Johnson (BUF)
Ruvell Martin (BUF)
Roscoe Parrish (BUF)
Legedu Naanee (CAR)
Roy Williams (CHI)
Andre Caldwell (CIN)
Jerome Simpson (CIN)
Laurent Robinson (DAL)
Eddie Royal (DEN)
Rashied Davis (DET)
Maurice Stovall (DET)
Braylon Edwards (FA)
Bryant Johnson (HOU)
Pierre Garcon (IND)
Anthony Gonzalez (IND)
Reggie Wayne (IND)
Dwayne Bowe (KC)
Jerheme Urban (KC)
Devin Aromashodu (MIN)
Bernard Berrian (MIN)
Greg Camarillo (MIN)
Deion Branch (NE)
Matt Slater (NE)
Wes Welker (NE)
Marques Colston (NO)
Robert Meachem (NO)
Courtney Roby (NO)
Domenik Hixon (NYG)
Mario Manningham (NYG)
Devin Thomas (NYG)
Plaxico Burress (NYJ)
TJ Houshmandzadeh (OAK)
Derek Hagan (OAK)
Chaz Schilens (OAK)
DeSean Jackson (PHI)
Steve Smith (PHI)
Jerricho Cotchery (PIT)
Patrick Crayton (SD)
Vincent Jackson (SD)
Ted Ginn (SF)
Josh Morgan (SF)
Mark Clayton (STL)
Brandon Lloyd (STL)
Mike Sims-Walker (STL)
Micheal Spurlock (TB)
Donnie Avery (TEN)
Kevin Curtis (TEN)
Lavelle Hawkins (TEN)
David Anderson (WAS)
Donte’ Stallworth (WAS)
Stephen Williams (ARZ) – Exclusive Rights
Jordan Norwood (CLE) – Exclusive Rights
Jesse Holley (DAL) – Exclusive Rights
Kevin Ogletree (DAL) – Restricted
Stefan Logan (DET) – Restricted
Matt Willis (DEN) – Restricted
Mike Wallace (PIT) – Restricted
Danny Amendola (STL) – Restricted
Dominique Curry (STL) – Exclusive Rights
Preston Parker (TB) – Exclusive Rights
Interesting that both Welker and Manningham, who are getting so much discussion following their play in the Super Bowl are both free agents.
A number of these players will obviously sign with their original team. I’d be very surprised if D. Bowe, S. Johnson and B. Lloyd changed teams. All three could be looking at the franchise tag. Guys like Welker and Colston you would also figure to stay in their current situation, even if that means not taking the highest possible dollar.
So who do I think might make it to the open market?
It sounds like Vincent Jackson could potentially be available, but it would be a bank breaking contract. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Manningham available as well.
The Peyton Manning situation could determine whether Garcon is staying or going. He’s a guy that I think could help the Browns, and wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.
One move I’d love to see the Browns make is to drive the cost of Mike Wallace up. He has the straight speed that the Browns have needed since returning to the league, and if the Steelers decided not to match an offer nobody would be upset having him on the team.
Who on this list would you like to see the Browns go after in free agency?
