The Cleveland Browns have one of the highest amounts of salary cap space this offseason and names like Ndamukong Suh, Randall Cobb, Greg Hardy, Jeremy Maclin, Julius Thomas, DeMarco Murray, Ben Tate, CJ Spiller, Jermaine Gresham and Byron Maxwell could be potential options for the team in free agency.
The Browns are projected to have over $40 million in cap space and they could free up even more depending on who they release in the winter. According to Pro Football Talk, the Browns could focus on the offensive side of the ball and the wide receiver position, as Josh Gordon was suspended for the 2015 season and the Browns need a replacement. Johnny Manziel had a rough rookie season and entered treatment in the offseason and that could lead the Browns to bring back Brian Hoyer for another season.
Gordon played in just five games while being suspended on two different occasions for the Browns and moving forward they could try and sign players like Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nicks, Eddie Royal, Cecil Shorts or Torrey Smith as free agents. The wide receiver class is deep this offseason and it comes after the Browns gave up the chance at drafting Sammy Watkins last year in the first round. Cobb is looking for $9 million per season, according to Pro Football Talk, and if the Packers don't meet his price, a team like the Browns or Raiders could come in and afford it.
Cobb is coming off of a career season after putting up 91 receptions for 1287 yards and 12 touchdowns and he is hoping to stay with the Packers. Maclin is another potential target, as he is a free agent after signing a one year contract with the Eagles last year. Maclin had 85 catches for 1318 yards last season with 10 touchdowns and while he "expects" to be back with the team, the two sides have not been close in negotiations, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Smith is a target to return to the Ravens, but there is a good chance he could move on to another team.
The Browns likely will look at the free agent market for a quarterback, but there is a chance they could make a trade, as they have the draft picks to use in a potential deal. The Browns have the most draft picks heading into the 2015 draft and they could use them to move up or make a deal for a QB. NJ.com reported that the Browns made a trade offer of Josh Gordon for Nick Foels in 2013 and while that deal didn't wotk out, the team could take a look at doing it now.
The Eagles reportedly are interested in moving up to get Marcus Mariota and could be willing to trade Foles in the hopes of doing that. The Browns are a potential match due to their draft picks for 2015. The Browns finished the season with an 0-5 run and they are looking to come back in 2015 with some type of optimism. Manziel and Gordon both have had off the field issues and now Ray Farmer may look at bringing back Brian Hoyer as a free agent over signing Mark Sanchez.
