The Cleveland Browns were interested in a Sam Bradford trade this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles, but that is not an option after the NFL draft and the team now is sticking with Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel at quarterback and this comes as Duke Johnson could be a starter with Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell at running back.
The Browns are coming into the 2015 season after a disappointing finish to 2014 and they now have Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel as the main quarterbacks on the roster. McCown likely will start and even with Manziel going to rehab this offseason, he will have the chance to compete and show that he has matured. The Browns have Josh Gordon facing suspension and while they added Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe, the team still has a bit of a void at wide receiver.
The team considered trying to trade for Sam Bradford this offseason multiple times, but a deal did not work out with the Eagles. According to the Washington Post, the Browns called the Eagles about Bradford, but Philly was not interested in making a deal. Mike Glennon was considered a target for the Browns earlier in the offseason and they could pick back up on that with the Buccaneers taking Jameis Winston.
Ray Farmer is comfortable with McCown and Manziel on the roster, but clearly he wanted to make an upgrade. Bradford is coming off of knee surgery, but he has talent and Farmer felt he would be a strong fit for the Browns offense. The Bradford deal is looking very unlikely now that the Eagles did not get Marcus Mariota or another quarterback and that could push the Browns to Glennon if they really want to make a change.
The team also could call up the Redskins about Kirk Cousins, as the team has Colt McCoy and signed Connor Halliday this offseason as an undrafted free agent. According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Browns have "sniffed around" on Glennon this offseason and now that the Buccaneers have Jameis Winston, they may consider moving Glennon. The Bucs likely will start Winston in week 1.
The Browns feel that they will have a better offense this season after taking Duke Johnson, Vince Mayle, Randall Telfer and Malcolm Johnson in the draft. The team added Hartline and Bowe at receiver and they already have two solid backs in Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West. Johnson should push those players to start this season, as he is coming off of a strong run with Miami and he could make an immediate impact in the NFL.
Johnson comes in after rushing for 1652 yards last season and he is considered a burner at running back. Johnson scored 20 touchdowns in two seasons with the Hurricanes and the browns now could have a three headed monster at RB. West was solid last year along with Crowell and adding Johnson should only help with depth.
The team also feels that adding Telfer and Johnson to the roster could be big for replacing Jordan Cameron. According to ESPN writer Pat McManamon, the team feels that Vince Mayle could be a contributor as well out of Washington State. The Cougars were one of the top passing teams in the nation and he comes in after making 106 catches for 1483 yards and nine TDs last season. Mayle had had 848 yards after the catch last season and that could make him an explosive weapon for the team.
