5 Available Free Agents Still Within Cleveland Browns' Reach
Though attention has rightfully shifted toward the NFL draft, given that it is less than three weeks away, there are still free agents who are trying to land with teams for the 2015 season. In fact, a number of these free agents could address team needs that would otherwise cost a valuable draft pick.
The Cleveland Browns aren't done signing veterans to their roster, as evidenced by the addition of tight end Rob Housler last week. And with just over $21 million in cap space they can still spend (after factoring rookie contracts), according to Spotrac, the Browns still have the ability to bring more players in.
Here are five free agents still on the market whom the Browns could make use of this year should they have interest in signing more veterans to the roster.
WR Reggie Wayne
1 of 5
The Cleveland Browns aren't hurting when it comes to their depth chart at wide receiver. They aren't hurting for veterans, either, with the additions of both Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline earlier in the offseason. Adding Reggie Wayne, though, would not only add veteran experience to the playing field but also high-quality leadership in the locker room at a reasonable price.
Granted, Wayne may want to play out the final year of his career with a playoff contender. But barring that opportunity coming his way, joining the Browns may prove attractive. He will get a chance to help mentor Cleveland's young receivers—especially should they bring on a rookie or two via the draft—while proving to be a versatile weapon when asked.
Bowe and Hartline are deep threats. Wayne once was, but with his age affecting his speed, he's learned to become more versatile. In fact, the majority of his passing targets in 2014 came in the middle of the field from zero to 19 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, according to Pro Football Focus.
This is important, because Bowe and Hartline will only be valuable to the Browns if whoever starts under center this season can get the football to them.
Wayne, in contrast, can aid the quarterback by being able to make plays on more conservative throws. What he may lack in athleticism at this point in his career he makes up for in being football-smart and wily. Wayne could add a dimension to the Browns' passing game that they otherwise may lack.
C Roberto Garza
2 of 5
Browns center Alex Mack should be more than ready for Week 1 after suffering a leg fracture in the middle of the 2014 season. The Browns also re-signed offensive lineman Ryan Seymour who ultimately stood in for Mack last year after Nick McDonald's brief and unsuccessful turn at center.
But bringing in a veteran center such as Roberto Garza could provide the Browns with high-level insurance at the position should Mack suffer a setback or another injury. The Browns cannot afford to have their run game grind to a halt with one key offensive line injury and Garza could provide a stop-gap in 2015 should that situation again arise.
Garza, who has been in the NFL since 2001, spending time with first the Atlanta Falcons and then the Chicago Bears, was Pro Football Focus' 35th-ranked center (out of 70) last year. He allowed one sack, two quarterback hits and 11 hurries in 770 snaps played. Mack, meanwhile, ranked 10th, while Seymour tied for 47th and McDonald ranked 68th.
Clearly, Garza is not an upgrade over Mack, but he doesn't need to be. He simply needs to be a better depth option than either Seymour or McDonald, and given his level of NFL experience and his 2014 performance, he clearly is.
DL Corey Wootton
3 of 5
This year is all about the Browns getting tough in the trenches, especially when it comes to the defensive line. The Browns ranked last in the league in rushing yards allowed in 2014, according to TeamRankings.com, and the defensive line was mainly to blame. They cannot have this issue repeat in 2015, especially given it has been such a longstanding one and given head coach Mike Pettine prides himself on crafting aggressive defenses.
The Browns take a rotational approach to their defensive line, which makes veteran Corey Wootton a good fit. He may not be worth their time if they needed him to play every down, but as a situational component both as a run-stopper and pass-rusher, he has a place on the roster.
Wootton has a career 86 combined tackles, including nine runs stuffed, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles with two fumble recoveries. In 2014, his sole year with the Minnesota Vikings, he had 16 tackles, one sack and a pass defensed, while playing 275, or 26.5 percent, per Pro Football Focus, of the Vikings' total defensive snaps. At 6'6", Wootton is imposing, but at 270 pounds, he's surprisingly athletic.
That size and athleticism, combined with his veteran experience, would give the Browns another option on the defensive line where Cleveland needs all the help they can get.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
TE Zach Miller
4 of 5
It's possible that the Seattle Seahawks would have kept tight end Zach Miller on their roster, if it weren't for the ankle injury that cost him all but the first three games of the 2014 season and the trade for Jimmy Graham. But Miller's release could be the Browns' gain, even with the recent signing of fellow free-agent tight end Rob Housler.
In eight years in the NFL, Miller has totaled 328 catches on 506 targets for 3,804 yards and 20 touchdowns. Though primarily considered a receiving tight end like Housler, he's also an accomplished blocker, with a plus-4.7 grade as a run-blocker from Pro Football Focus for his 2013 season.
Browns tight ends Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge can catch passes, though not reliably. They will be mostly prized for their blocking abilities this year. Housler will handle receiving duties and won't be asked to block all that often.
Miller, in contrast, can handle every duty of a tight end, which could make him an important part of the Browns offense should they be interested in signing him. His versatility means the Browns can be more creative on offense with him on the field.
OLB Dwight Freeney
5 of 5
Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney may be 35 years old, but his career isn't over yet. Heading into his 14th season in the NFL, Freeney is still a disruptive pass-rusher. And a veteran of Freeney's prominence may just be what the Browns defense needs this year, especially after coming off a disappointing 31-sack 2014 campaign.
In his 13 seasons, Freeney has amassed 310 combined tackles, 111.5 sacks and 44 forced fumbles. In 2014 with the San Diego Chargers, he had a combined 10 tackles and 3.5 sacks, while playing 590 snaps and starting nine games, according to PFF. He also had nine quarterback hits and 40 hurries, the latter being the third-highest total among outside linebackers last year, also according to PFF.
Disrupting the passing game is more than just sacking the quarterback. While Freeney can do that skill better than most in the league, simply his ability to get to the quarterback and affect passing plays would make him an excellent addition to the Browns' current crop of pass-rushers. He adds an aggressive element the Browns would quickly welcome.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
