Browns Free Agency Preview: 10 Players Cleveland Must Target

The Cleveland Browns head into the 2012 NFL free agency period with a frugal mentality.

Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said, “You guys know how I feel about free agency and I think that’s kind of an organizational deal.  We’re not going to go crazy in free agency. We’re not going to do it.”

Heckert’s remarks should not come as a surprise to the Browns faithful. His propensity to favor his own players by rewarding contracts to proven system players has followed him from his days as general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Recently, Heckert has rewarded linebackers D’Qwell Jackson and Chris Gocong with contracts but has failed to come to terms with embattled running back Peyton Hillis. I’ll get into that a little more later on.

While “overpaying” players in free agency may not be the most viable way to improve a struggling franchise, it should not be completely discounted if an impact or value player can be added at the right price.

Certain players command large contracts during this time of the offseason. Most times, it’s because they’ve proven to be impact players who can change games.

Heckert’s comments, at face value, are likely to set expectations low in the event he cannot bring in an impact player. If Peyton Manning showed any interest in coming to Cleveland, Heckert would be willing to listen.

Keep in mind, I do not think or believe the Browns should sign a ton of free agents to high contracts, assuming they even want to sign in Cleveland. A few strategic signings at positions of great need (and depth) could vastly improve the makeup of the Browns heading into 2012.

The following list is made up of targets I think the Browns could benefit from signing. A few may or may not be in the realm of possibility, given Heckert’s lack of will to spend any big dollars on the free agency market. There are, in my opinion, a few exceptions to his rule out there this offseason that he should be exploring.

Mario Williams, DE

Getting used to seeing Mario Williams putting Ben Roethlisburger on his back would more than pay the price of admission for Williams to come to Cleveland.

Williams should be the Cleveland Browns first target in free agency. His supernatural physical skills, ability to wreak havoc in the backfield and ability to change games would even the playing field in the fierce AFC North division.

Williams will likely demand a very large contract (the largest in NFL history some think), though, and may not be a real possibility for the Browns given Heckert's philosophy. 

Coming off injury, Williams does carry a caution flag and will not likely be in orange and brown in 2012. However, I maintain that the addition of Williams would transform the Cleveland Browns defense, or any defense that is willing to spend the money, into an elite unit in 2012.

Hopefully, Heckert can properly identify when a monetary risk is worth taking and at least make an attempt to speak with Williams' agent.

Whether Williams would consider Cleveland at all is another factor that some must be willing to accept.

Jeremy Mincey, DE

Jeremy Mincey is another interesting option for the Cleveland Browns at defensive end.

Mincey may not be an elite pass-rusher, but he posted solid numbers (eight sacks) last season and will not likely command as large of a contract as Mario Williams.

Mincey is also a reliable starter who played 93.5 percent of plays in 2011 (ESPN).

He is also described as a solid run-stopping end. Given the Browns' horrid rush defense, adding Mincey to the mix may help rectify that by holding down the edges more effectively in 2012.

Laurent Robinson, WR

Laurent Robinson is just what the doctor ordered for a struggling Cleveland Browns wide receiver corps.

Robinson's ability to separate, solid route running and sure hands would give Colt McCoy the target he has been waiting for.

Equipped with Greg Little, Joshua Cribbs, a rookie wide receiver and Robinson, the Browns offense could elevate to new heights.

Luring Robinson away from the Dallas Cowboys may cost the Browns more than they would be willing to pay. Robinson expressed his desire to stay in Dallas but has not come to an agreement with the team as of yet.

If a deal is not reached in Dallas, possibly because of the presence of Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, the Browns would be a likely landing spot for Robinson. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur was Robinson's offensive coordinator in St. Louis. He would also be afforded a larger role in Cleveland given the inadequate play of the Browns receiver corps.

Pierre Garcon, WR

Pierre Garcon could be the deep threat wide receiver the Cleveland Browns have been searching for. 

Rather than drafting and expecting a rookie prospect like Kendall Wright to perform immediately, the Browns should think heavily about bringing in veteran Pierre Garcon through free agency.

Garcon proved in 2011 he was not a product of Peyton Manning's greatness. He didn't miss a step without Manning, improving in yards, receptions and yards per catch. Garcon improved with the unimpressive quarterback carousel of Kerry Collins, Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky at the helm of the Indianapolis Colts offense.

According to a report by ESPN analyst John Clayton, Garcon has not been able to come to an agreement with the team and plans to test the free agent market.

Carl Nicks, OG

The Cleveland Browns had a glaring whole at right guard in 2011. Adding standout free agent Carl Nicks to their offensive line could provide whoever is at quarterback more ample time to succeed.

ESPN analyst Pat Yasinskas reported New Orleans Saints guard Carl Nicks didn’t sound optimistic about his chances of returning to the Saints in this radio interview. He (Nicks) said the Saints seem to want to go in another direction. 

Signing Nicks to any form of a contract will require a restructure of Eric Steinbach's current contract. It would be worth it, though, to lock in Nicks long term.

Nicks said in a radio interview, “I plan to be the highest paid guard in the NFL. You can take that whatever kinda way but that’s my goal, so…more than Logan Mankins got I guess.” 

With that in mind, Heckert will not likely be willing to pay the money needed to bring in the 26-year-old.

A move like this, though, would solidify the Cleveland Browns offensive line for years to come.

Tracey Porter, CB

Tracey Porter is seemingly on the outs in New Orleans.

ESPN analyst Pat Yasinskas described a potential "mass exodus" from New Orleans following the bounty-gate scandal and lingering cap space issues there.

This would place Porter, a very capable and young cornerback, on the open market and ripe for the taking for the Cleveland Browns.

Sheldon Brown has constantly been targeted by opposing teams and exploited because of his diminishing speed.  

Adding Porter would be the type of solid, affordable and low profile signing that Tom Heckert prefers.

Peyton Hillis, RB

Peyton Hillis should be re-signed and kept in a Cleveland Browns uniform.

Throughout all of the drama surrounding his agent carousel, injuries and the ongoing contract negotiations, Hillis rebounded and performed handily in the Browns final regular season games in 2011.

Hillis' skill-set is ideal for a West Coast offense. Whether he plays the majority of plays at the fullback position, running back or even a split/tight end position, he has the skills to compete and play at a high level in the NFL.

The Browns and Hillis have agreed in principle, according to Cleveland’s Fox 8 Sports reporter Nicolas Kovach on Feb. 19. However, this rumor has shown thus far to have no credibility.  

Hillis' firing of his agent begs to question whether any deal has been reached or if his agent was getting in the way of progress on talks.

Re-signing Hillis is not where the Browns should stop at the running back position. The draft has several intriguing mid-round prospects that would add an explosive change of pace to Hillis' punishing rushing style.

Jacob Hester, FB

Jacob Hester is an ideal fullback for Pat Shurmur's West Coast offense.

He exhibits a good understanding of the rushing game and is also capable of being utilized as an outlet receiver in the flats. A good, hard-nosed player that will not shy away from contact and lay the boom.

Let's face it, rookie fullback Owen Marecic did not perform as expected in his first season in the NFL. The decision to let Lawrence Vickers go and draft and plug in Marecic is beginning to haunt Tom Heckert.

Signing Hester would rectify that blunder. 

Hester is an unrestricted free agent and could easily slip away from the Chargers who also have Mike Tolbert to re-sign.

Red Byrant, DE

Red Bryant is a force on the defensive line. The Cleveland Browns would benefit greatly from adding Bryant into the line rotation.

The biggest selling point for Bryant is his versatility. He could rotate at defensive tackle and play defensive end in an already strong Browns defensive front.

ESPN analyst Mike Sando reported the Seahawks want to keep Bryant but will not franchise him at the $10.6 million tag price.

Tom Heckert's philosophy on defensive ends is that they are one of the most important positions on the team after quarterback and left tackle. If he thinks Bryant is the missing link on the Browns' defensive front, he might take the plunge by paying Bryant to come to Cleveland.

Anthony Collins, OT

Anthony Collins would be an instant upgrade for the Cleveland Browns at right tackle. If brought in, Collins would provide a solid fill to shore up the right side of the line. This would take the pressure off any rookie, if one is drafted, to come in and perform right away.

Question marks about drug use after being questioned along with teammate Jerome Simpson about a shipment of 2.5 pounds of marijuana to Simpsons's house may steer teams away.

In any case, Collins will be an upgrade from Tony Pashos and the others the Browns have been trying to employ at right tackle in recent history.

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