Jordan Cameron Putting Browns in Tough Position Entering Free Agency

According to a report from Yardbarker and NFL Draft Diamonds, Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron recently turned down a $6 to 7 million-per-year deal to remain with the Browns. ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi also does not believe that Cameron will be in Cleveland in 2015.

This means the impending unrestricted free agent will test the open market and likely sign with another team rather than return to Cleveland, where he's played for the past four seasons. And the Browns will be on the search to fill a gap at yet another offensive skill position.

In four years, Cameron has never completed a full season, with 2014 marred both by concussions and a shoulder injury. He's caught 130 passes in his career for 1,600 yards and 10 touchdowns, with 24 catches, 424 yards and two scores in the 2014 season. His best year came in 2013, when he caught 80 passes for 917 yards and seven touchdowns while playing in 15 games.

Cameron's impending departure would sting less if the Browns had other, better options in free agency. However, the 2015 class of tight end free agents isn't the most star-studded one. It includes the Cincinnati Bengals' Jermaine Gresham, the Miami Dolphins' Charles Clay and the Baltimore Ravens' Owen Daniels among it.

Year	Games	Tgts.	Rec.	Rec.%	Yds.	TD
2011	8	13	6	46.2%	33	0
2012	14	40	20	50.0%	226	1
2013	15	118	80	67.8%	917	7
2014	10	48	24	50.0%	424	2
Total	47	219	130	59.4%	1,600	10

The most promising of the group, the Denver Broncos' Julius Thomas, may never make it to free agency. And if he does, he'll easily be the most in-demand of the free-agent tight ends, making it difficult for the Browns to be his most attractive potential suitor. And Thomas, a lifelong Oakland Raiders fan, seems more likely to land there than in Cleveland.

The Browns aren't without tight ends. In fact, they possess a pair of them—Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray. Though both were marginal contributors in 2014, combining for 30 receptions for 398 yards and one touchdown, either of the two could step up and succeed if given Cameron's starting job.

Still, Cameron leaving in free agency leaves the Browns thin at tight end. Two are simply not enough. Perhaps the draft could prove fruitful for the Browns, but they'd have to pick smartly—this year's draft class is particularly lacking top talent at the position.

Player	Games	Tgts.	Rec.	Rec.%	Yds.	TD
Dray	16	28	17	60.7%	242	1
Barnidge	13	25	13	52.0%	156	0

It's possible that Cameron could return, though not very likely. It's doubtful he will receive an offer comparable to the one the Browns reportedly offered him, considering his injury history and lack of consistent performance.

For what it's worth, Cameron ranked just 56th among tight ends in 2014 by Pro Football Focus; in contrast, Gresham ranked 37th, Daniels 29th, Clay 14th and Thomas 13th. Some of the less expensive free-agent tight ends actually had a better season than Cameron, so there is talent to be had. Barnidge also outranked Cameron, coming in at 22nd on the year.

If the Browns are truly desperate to keep Cameron, the franchise tag is a possibility. But at a projected $8.27 million in 2015 based on a $142 million cap, the tag value is significantly higher than the Browns' recent per-year offer and a lot of money for a tight end who has not been able to stay healthy.

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Ultimately, Cameron turning down such a lucrative offer is not a good sign for the Browns. It smacks of a willingness to take less money elsewhere.

Currently, the Browns have yet to identify their quarterback for 2015 and beyond. Receiver Josh Gordon has reportedly failed another drug test, opening him up not only to a one-year suspension from the NFL, but also being released by the Browns. And now the Browns must also find someone to replace Cameron, who just two years ago was in position to be a centerpiece of the offense.

For now, the Browns will have to lean on Dray and Barnidge and hope to augment their ranks with a less expensive veteran role player or to luck out with one of the few top prospects at tight end in the draft.

It's not so much that the Browns are losing Cameron specifically once free agency begins, but rather that they are losing a starter at a skill position. Replacing him becomes another daunting task on an ever-lengthening list of them. 

But it could be for the best. The Browns offered Cameron a high-value contract he turned down. It's better for the Browns that they have a starting tight end who actually wants to be there rather than one choosing to stick around simply because the price was right.