Browns get Osweiler, second-round pick

The Cleveland Browns pulled off a stunning trade Thursday, essentially buying a 2018 second-round draft pick from the Houston Texans for the $16 million guaranteed on quarterback Brock Osweiler’s contract. The deal came as free agency officially opened.

It does give the Browns even more ammunition they could throw at the New England Patriots in an attempt to trade for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Browns also agreed to deals with three unrestricted free agents who are projected starters: right guard Kevin Zeitler from Cincinnati, center J.C. Tretter from Green Bay and receiver Kenny Britt from the Rams.

They secured one of their own, starting left guard Joel Bitonio, through the 2022 season with a five-year contract extension.

Receiver Terrelle Pryor became a free agent and has a visit scheduled with Washington, according to reports. The Browns haven’t ruled out re-signing Pryor but consider it unlikely.

The flurry of activity was a change of pace for the Browns, who were quiet last year in free agency and went 1-15 with head of football operations Sashi Brown, chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta and coach Hue Jackson new in their roles. This time around, the team entered free agency with an NFL-record $102 million in salarycap space and became a big spender.

Although the Browns have a pressing need at quarterback and acquired Osweiler, the deal, from their perspective, was all about adding a second-round pick in 2018. They also shipped their fourthround compensatory pick (No. 142 overall) this year to the Texans in exchange for a sixthround choice (No. 188).

Now their stockpile includes five of the top 65 picks in April’s draft — first round (Nos. 1 and 12 overall), second (Nos. 33 and 52) and third (No. 65) — plus a first-round and three second-round selections next year. That’s eight picks in the first two rounds of the 2017 and 2018 drafts.

The Patriots remain intent on keeping Garoppolo, a league source said Thursday.

Bucs sign WR Jackson

Tampa Bay brought in DeSean Jackson to team with Mike Evans as targets for Jameis Winston.

Jackson is one of five players since the 1970 merger with 26 or more career touchdowns of 50-plus yards. Only Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (23) has more than Jackson's 22 touchdowns of 60-plus yards.

49ers add 7 free agents

The San Francisco 49ers agreed to deals with seven free agents.

The Niners have reached a two-year deal with quarterback Brian Hoyer, a five-year deal with receiver Pierre Garcon, a five-year deal with linebacker Malcolm Smith, a four-year deal with fullback Kyle Juszczyk, two-year deals with kicker Robbie Gould and receiver Marquise Goodwin and a oneyear contract with tight end Logan Paulsen.

Hoyer is a Lakewood native and former starter for the Browns.

Redskins fire GM McCloughan

The Washington Redskins fired general manager Scot McCloughan, ending weeks of speculation about his future.

In a curious turn of events, McCloughan did not attend the scouting combine in Indianapolis earlier this month, with a spokesman saying he was "taking care of some family matters."

The Redskins did not give an official reason for firing McCloughan, 46, who was two years into a four-year contract.