Cleveland Browns Free Agency: 4 New Weapons for a Struggling Offense

No matter who is under center in 2012, Cleveland's offense needs more weapons. Whether it's Colt McCoy, Matt Flynn or Ryan Tannehill throwing the passes, they will need a better supporting cast than what was on display in 2011.

While they may not be marquee names, the following four players would be good scheme fits for what Cleveland is trying to do on offense:

Steve Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Smith endured a poor season with the Eagles, but can be a great fit in the short-passing, West Coast style of offense the Browns are favoured by Pat Shurmur and Mike Holmgren.

The 5'11", 195-pounder is a clever underneath receiver, who thrives at finding the gaps in the middle zones. Smith has excellent hands and knack for getting open. He would be particularly effective running the type of short slants featured in Shurmur's scheme.

Smith needs to prove he is over the left knee injury he suffered in 2010. The 26-year-old must recapture his 2009 form, when he snared 107 passes for 1,220 yards.

Steve Slaton, RB, Miami Dolphins

Slaton has had fumbling issues during his short career, but the 26-year-old is young enough to overcome them and still feature for an offense. A quick and sharp-cutting runner, Slaton can break the long run and would add some big play capability to a Browns ground game that was slow paced in 2011.

The four-year pro is also an above-average receiver who would be a useful weapon out of the backfield for any new quarterback.

Slaton fell victim to a serious neck injury in 2009 and has not looked the same since, but he has proven in the past that he has the talent to be a 1,000-yard runner.

Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints

Meachem has struggled to live up to his draft status after being taken in the first round by Saints in the 2007 draft.

However, he has proved himself to be a prolific red zone weapon, evidenced by 23 touchdown catches in four years. That would be a precious commodity for a Browns offense that finds points hard to come by.

At 6'2", 210 pounds, Meachem would provide a big target for whomever is throwing the passes in Cleveland in 2012. The 27-year-old has the ability to stretch the field and be the vertical threat the Browns desperately need.

Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers

Grant proved that he is over the serious ankle injury he suffered in 2010, with a solid season's production for the Packers. He has the power and initial quickness to still be effective between the tackles.

Grant's experience in Green Bay would prove invaluable, given the kind of West Coast schemes run by the Packers. If Cleveland acquires Flynn, having a former teammate in the backfield with him could prove invaluable.

Either one of Grant or Slaton would be a good experienced option in a rotation with an explosive rookie like Alabama's Trent Richardson, should the Browns opt to go that route this April.