5 Biggest Needs Cleveland Browns Have Yet to Address This Offseason

The Cleveland Browns were judicious with their use of salary-cap funds during the big-spending part of free agency, making a few key signings but not making a splash. This was by design, with team owner Jimmy Haslam saying in February that the team planned to build through the draft this year and not through free agency.

Given that dearth of spending, it's clear that the Browns still have roster needs to address. Here are the five biggest ones that need the most attention in the coming weeks and months.

Defensive Line

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The Browns have a solid secondary, especially after signing free-agent cornerback Tramon Williams earlier in the week. However, they need to get better in the front seven, particularly in the defensive line. The Browns ranked dead last against the run last year, and a repeat performance in 2015 won't help them improve on their seven-win record.

The Browns took a rotational approach to their defensive line last season, with no member of the line totaling more than 749 snaps (out of a possible 1,177 according to Pro Football Focus), and the same should continue this year. That's why the Browns could use all the defensive line help they can get.

Cleveland did extend the contract of end John Hughes and brought on free agent Randy Starks, but with that many players coming on and off the field situationally, more depth would always be welcome.

Nose Tackle

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Related to the Browns' need for defensive line depth is also their need for a dedicated nose tackle, especially with Ahtyba Rubin being a free agent and their longstanding struggles to stop the run.

Last year, Rubin split time with Ishmaa'ily Kitchen, who received a restricted free-agent tender by the Browns last week. However, the Browns would be wise to use one of their three draft picks in the first two rounds this year to get a true mountain of a run-stopper. There are a number of them, including Washington's Danny Shelton, Texas' Malcom Brown and Florida State's Eddie Goldman.

Occupying blockers two at a time and stopping the run behind the line of scrimmage are two wish-list items for the Browns. While their typical rotation of players might show improvement in both areas this year, the Browns need to find a dedicated nose tackle who fits that job description to a T.

Outside Linebacker

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The Browns did not rotate linebackers in and out last year as they did on the defensive line, with starters both inside and outside playing at least 600 snaps apiece in 2014, according to PFF. However, losing Jabaal Sheard to the New England Patriots in free agency does mean they have a vacancy for a pass-rusher.

Sheard totaled only two sacks last year, but he also had four quarterback hits and 24 hurries while playing 690 snaps. Someone—or a group of someones—will have to step in and take over that production.

The Browns certainly have edge-rushing talent in Paul Kruger, who led the team in both linebacking snaps played as well as sacks, with 11. However, Barkevious Mingo is still trying to find his true identity in the front seven. He was just a part-time player in 2014. Though he could step it up this year, the Browns would be better off adding another young pass-rusher to the roster who has the capability of splitting time with Mingo if he's not yet ready to be a three-down linebacker.

No. 1 Wide Receiver

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Though the Browns added veteran receiver Dwayne Bowe to their roster on Thursday, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, and signed free agent Brian Hartline at the beginning of free agency, they still don't have a true No. 1 wideout to replace Josh Gordon.

Bowe has, in the past, proved up to that task. He has a career average of 13.4 yards per reception and has totaled 44 touchdowns in his eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he had no touchdowns last year in the Chiefs' short-yardage passing game, turns 31 years old in September and was signed to a two-year deal. He's not a long-term fixture in Cleveland.

Luckily for the Browns, this year's receiver draft class is as deep and talented as it was last year. And unlike last year, it does not appear that the Browns will ignore the position for a second straight draft. Expect some of the class' biggest names at receiver to be on the table for the Browns, such as West Virginia's Kevin White, Louisville's DeVante Parker and Arizona State's Jaelen Strong.

After last year's debacle, paired with Gordon's (at least) one-year suspension, the Browns will not be ignoring their opportunity to find a young, talented wideout around whom to build the passing game in the long term.

Tight End

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The Browns' hunt to replace pass-catching tight end Jordan Cameron continues, and it looks like they will have to wait some time on one of their biggest targets. Jermaine Gresham, a five-year veteran of the Cincinnati Bengals, hit free agency last week and immediately was linked to the Browns, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer.

However, his late-season back injury proved to be more serious than first expected. Gresham underwent surgery for a herniated disc on Thursday, according to NFL.com's Chris Wesseling and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, and there is no timetable for him to resume preparing for the upcoming season.

That makes an already-thin pool of free-agent tight end talent even thinner. When you consider the also-thin tight end group in the upcoming draft, the Browns are in a sticky situation. Currently, they have just two tight ends—Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge—on the roster.

At some point, the Browns will have to sign at least one more tight end. Who that will be, when that will be and where they will find him are unknown. But one thing is clear: Tight end is a huge area of need for the Browns right now. We'll have to wait and see how well they meet it.