Browns Free Agents: Ranking Re-Sign Priorities for Cleveland

The Cleveland Browns are in an advantageous position this offseason because none of their core players are hitting the open market. They do, however, have some guys who need to be in serious consideration for a new contract.

Like every team in the NFL, building from within its own organization will be imperative for Cleveland. You can usually keep your own players for much cheaper than you can bring in people from the outside. That will certainly be the case this offseason.

The Browns also have some guys who will be highly sought after on the open market. There are some they cannot let get there and others who, after testing the waters, will see it's the Browns who will give them the fairest deal.

Let’s count down the guys who Cleveland needs to re-sign in order of reverse importance.

5. Jabaal Sheard

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The former second-round draft pick has shown promise throughout his career but never really flourished in the Browns' new 3-4 system. Outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard started his career with 15.5 sacks in his first two seasons but has managed just 7.5 in the two seasons since then.

His rookie year he also forced five fumbles and seemed to be sturdy in the run game. Since that season, however, his performance against the run has been mediocre at best.

According to Nate Ulrich of the Akron-Beacon Journal, the Browns and Sheard worked on an extension last summer but never found common ground.

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The Browns spoke with Sheard’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about a contract extension this past summer. However, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement, perhaps foreshadowing Sheard (44 tackles, two sacks, three passes defensed, 15 games) departing.

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It’s not like the Browns have a ton of depth at the outside linebacker position, so if they let him walk in free agency it’s just because they don’t feel he is a fit for the scheme.

The Browns would be smart to bring him back if the price is right. Unfortunately there will probably be suitors who are willing to pay more and who run a 4-3 offense that fits him better.

4. Johnson Bademosi

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This will be the most surprising name on the list, but he played an important role last season. Along with providing some depth at safety, Johnson Bademosi was a key player on special teams.

The Browns held opponents to the seventh-lowest punt return average and the eighth-lowest kickoff return average. For most of the season they held opponents to the worst average starting field position in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.

According to Spotrac, Bademosi made just $570,000 last season, and it would not take much more than that to keep him around. Good gunners and special teams tacklers are tougher to come by than you think. He had 16 special teams tackles over the last two seasons and would be missed if he walked in the open market.

3. Buster Skrine

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One of the most unpopular men on the Browns defense over the past few years was also one of the most important. Cornerback Buster Skrine has developed into one of the best second corners in the league and possibly the best nickel corner.

He had the fourth most interceptions in the league this year and the fourth most passes defended as well. Skrine is always around the ball and one of the scrappiest secondary defenders you will find in the league. There is no fear in his eyes when a team runs to his side of the field.

“I would love to bring Buster back,” defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil told the Akron-Beacon Journal. “I’ve told you guys before, he’s one of my favorite guys on the defense. He embodies ‘Play Like a Brown.’ I don’t ever want to let good players walk out the door. He gives everything he has every single play. I think that he’s a young corner that is starting to come into his own. He’s fast. He has good ball skills. I think he’s tough.”

Skrine too would like to return to the team that drafted him in the fifth round. He was a small-school guy, and the Browns took a chance on him. He is also close with fellow cornerback Joe Haden. The two can be seen out together quite frequently.

“I definitely want to come back,” Skrine told the Akron-Beacon Journal. “All my friends are here. I like the coaching staff, I really love the defense and I had a productive year. So if things work out, then I will come back.”

If the Browns are smart they will do everything they can to get Skrine back in the fold. The only fear should be that some team desperate for a cornerback helps knocks his socks off with a huge contract offer. Anything short of that, and he should be wearing an orange helmet next year.

2. Craig Robertson

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Here is where we venture into the realm of restricted free agents, which makes the water a little bit muddier. The Browns could essentially make it so no one can sign Robertson unless they give up draft picks, but then they would risk losing him after next season.

In 2014 a first-round tender (which means a team could sign him but would need to spend a first-round draft pick to do so) was $3.113 million. A second-round tender (which would come with a second-round and a third-round price tag) cost a team $2.187 million, and the third tender (the compensation would be the original round of selection) cost $1.431 million, according to Josh Kirkendall of Cincy Jungle.

They obviously could not place the third tender on Robertson because he was undrafted and someone else would swoop in immediately. A second-round tender would be the most likely option but could ruffle his feathers and cause him to look elsewhere after next year.

It would be a risky play for a 26-year-old inside linebacker who is coming into his own. His coverage skills improved by leaps and bounds last season, and he has always been steady against the run. The Browns may just place the second tender on him and see how his 2015 season goes before offering a long-term deal.

1. Tashaun Gipson

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It takes one hell of a year to play just 11 games but still have the second most interceptions and make the Pro Bowl as a starter. That is exactly what safety Tashaun Gipson did this season.

Gipson has 11 picks over the last two years and has developed into one of the games best free safeties. Did I mention he is only 24 years old? He too is a restricted free agent, but the Browns cannot play around with this one and tender him.

A team near the back end of the first round would gladly give up a first-round pick for a 24-year-old safety just entering the prime of his career. The Browns need to find some common ground and reach a long-term deal with Gipson as soon as possible.

Even if a team did not swoop in on a first-round tender, Cleveland would once again be risking losing a talented young player next offseason over a few million dollars. It is not often that an undrafted guy develops into what Gipson has, and the Browns need to take full advantage of the situation.