The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
FREE AGENCY NEXT IN ROSTER REMODEL
Cleveland’s needs start with tackle, receiver and defensive back
The trading frenzy in Berea is over — for now — and despite deals made on March 9 the Browns remain in the market for wide receivers and defensive backs.
Teams were allowed to start negotiating on March 12 with players who will officially become free agents when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. March 14.
One other position for Browns general manager John Dorsey to fill could be left tackle.
Joe Thomas, 33, has not announced whether he will play in 2018 or retire. All along, as he rehabs from a torn triceps, the 10time Pro Bowl player has said he will inform the Browns of his decision before free agency begins.
Thomas has tweeted out teasers that show how excited he is about the moves the Browns have made, but still has not publicly revealed his plans. As he said in January, however, even if he does decide to play in 2018, the Browns have to make plans for the time when he won’t be playing.
“This is the last year of my contract in Cleveland and I don’t want to play anywhere else,” Thomas said on Jan. 17 when asked if he might play beyond 2018. “I guess I haven’t thought that far down the line.”
Nate Solder of the Patriots is the only left tackle headed to the free agent market.
The Browns have the cap room (nearly $78 million available) to sign him. But the Texans are reportedly chasing Solder, too, and New England won’t let him go easily.
The odd man out for the Browns among the receivers could be 2016 firstround draft choice Corey Coleman if Coach Hue
Jackson and Dorsey can convince Terrelle Pryor to return to Cleveland after one disappointing season with the Washington Redskins.
Jarvis Landry, the receiver acquired from the Dolphins on March 9 for a fourth-round pick in 2018 and a seventh-round choice in 2019, plays the slot.
Pryor caught 77 passes for 1,007 yards for the Browns in 2016. He repeatedly said he wanted to resign with the Browns as the
season was winding down. But a deal wasn’t reached, so Pryor signed a one-year deal on the first day of free agency last year. He caught 22 passes for 240 yards and one touchdown in nine games with the Redskins.
Paul Richardson of the Seahawks (44 catches, 703 yards, six touchdowns in 2017) or Sammy Watkins from the Rams (39/593/8) are other possibilities at wide receiver.
Watkins’ quarterback at Buffalo was Tyrod Taylor,
whom the Browns acquired from the Bills on March 9 for the 65th pick in 2018. The Bills traded Watkins to the Rams last year.
Would Taylor be enough to persuade Watkins to sign with the Browns? The Rams wants to re-sign him before free agency begins. The Texans, Packers, Jaguars and Cowboys could also make offers to Watkins, according to reports.
Another Rams receiver to keep an eye on is Tavon Austin, who is coming off a
year to forget in Los Angeles. The eighth overall pick of the 2013 draft caught 13 passes in 2017 despite playing in all 16 games.
The Rams are expected to release Austin. He is due a $5 million roster bonus this month. His base salary for 2018 is $3 million.
The Browns, when the 2017 season came to a merciful end, concluded they needed a free safety and at least one cornerback. Damarious Randall, acquired on March 9 in a trade with the
Packers, can play both positions. He is expected to play free safety with the Browns so 2017 first-round draft pick Jabrill Peppers can move to his more natural position of strong safety.
Trumaine Johnson, who played for the Rams for the last six years and was coached from 2014-16 by current Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, is a free agent. He intercepted 11 passes during the three years he played for Williams.