Brian Hartline to Browns: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

Brian Hartline's attempt to revitalize his career will happen in Cleveland.

The free-agent wide receiver has signed with the Browns, confirms the team. 

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com added that the deal is for two years and $6 million. 

The veteran has high expectations, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com:

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Houston Texans were all interested in signing Hartline, per Cabot. 

Hartline, 28, was released by the Miami Dolphins after six seasons last month. He was initially due a $5.9 million base salary as part of the five-year, $30.77 million extension he signed with the Dolphins in 2013. The move saved Miami a little over $3 million on its 2015 cap.

A fourth-round pick in 2009, Hartline had become a consistent possession receiver for Miami before a disappointing downturn last season. He made 39 receptions for a career-low 474 yards, less than half of the 1,000-yard campaigns he'd put up in 2012 and 2013.

The Dolphins largely replaced Hartline's production by giving his targets to second-round pick Jarvis Landry, who led the team with 84 receptions. Hartline received just 62 total targets in 2014, fourth on the team and a far cry from the 125-plus he'd had the previous two seasons.

It's easy to see why the teams would be interested. Hartline was a 1,000-yard receiver in 2012 and 2013, performing at the rate of an excellent second receiver in both campaigns. Pro Football Focus' wide receiver rating ranked Hartline 24th at his position in 2013. Football Outsiders' number were a little less kind, but it's unclear how much of those statistical deficiencies were related to Ryan Tannehill's inability to hit downfield passes.

Hartline is a decent run-blocker, a good route-runner and doesn't have a history of dropping passes. His numbers in 2014, when Hartline dropped a cringe-worthy 11.36 percent of his catchable targets, per PFF, are more indicative of a statistical anomaly than a trend.

If Hartline returns to his 2012-13 form, this will be among the better bargain signings of the early free-agency period. If not, the terms of the deal aren't so onerous that the Browns won't be able to move on at the same time next year.

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