The 2020 Free Agency Thread...

[Tour2ma]

@tour2ma said:

Steve Wisniewski (KC)... injured in 2019, bit older, but not old, can still play and play well

Steve is a retired ex-Raider...

Stefen Wiesniewski was named KC's most improved player by PFF...

He turns 31 this March. He'd be a nice, economical signing.

[TexasAg1969]

I've always liked Hunter Henry. Usually have him on my FFL, but injuries kept me from playing him as much as I wanted to. Might come cheap with that history.

[The Gipper]

Heard this today:    It is seemingly imperative for the Browns to  get one starting OT  out of FA, and one out of the Draft.   Chris Hubbard is an adequate backup, but not starter. 

Jack Conklin seems to be a major target for RT. 

Also need help at Safety and Linebacker.  Combination of FA and draft. 

[tiamat63]

Wonder how much $$ Chris Harris is looking for.

[Tour2ma]

@tiamat63 said:

Wonder how much $$ Chris Harris is looking for.

Projected Contract

2 yrs — $13m avg/yr

$13m guaranteed, $26m total

Via overthecap.com

[tiamat63]

@tour2ma said:

That's a little lower than what I had in mind, TBH.

I had some football related thoughts racking around in my head earlier today.   The future of the defense, both immediate and longterm, was the biggest of those.   Specifically our pass rush vs our coverage and how Joe Woods would intend on limiting the run via a combination of personnel and/or numbers committed to the box.

In short, if our new front office is going to weigh the dollars vs field value of certain players, I can't imagine Vernon stays through the off-season.  I also don't suspect we can immediately supplement the other edge rusher spot so easily with a rookie or combination of FA and in-house talent.  I think priority #1 for this dline needs to be getting stronger at limiting the opposing rushing attacks which also means Vernon has to go.   That may dictate taking a look at how our coverage holds up, especially on early downs where teams showed a tendency to attack our secondary at times out of more "traditional" running formations. 

I'm also looking at money invested in position groups and realizing that Denzel is still on the cheap for another year or two, Greedy at minimum 2 years and Terrance Mitchell has a reasonable contract as well.

My initial thought ?   I would love to drop a few dollars on a great corner like Harris who can erase slot receivers and already would have great familiarity with the defense Woods is installing. 

[Tour2ma]

OK... here's my Bang-for-the-Buck FA shopping list...

Offense

• OT - Halapoulivaati Vaitai (PHI); PFF's # 21 OT in 2019; Age: 26; My Est'd Cost: $24mm/4 yrs w/ $6mm Guaranteed
• OG - Stefen Wiesnewski (KC); #16 OG; Age: 31; My Est. $6mm/2 yrs w/ $1.5mm guar
• TE - Charles Clay (AZ); #29 TE; Age 31; My Est. $3.0mm w/ $1mm guar
• WR - Higgins; Age 25; My Est. $10mm/4 yr plus incentives up to another $10mm; $2mm guar
• RB - CJ Prosise; Age 25; My Est. $2mm/2 yr; $400k guar
• QB - AJ McCarron; Age 29; My Est. $5mm/2 yr; $2mm guar

Defense

• DT - Michael Pierce (BLT); #45 DL (Top Ten prior season); Age 27.2; OTC Est. $15mm/3 yr w/ $6.5mm guar
• DE - Vinny Curry (PHI); #22 Edge; Age 31; OTC Est. $9.5mm/2 yr w/$4.5mm guar
• ILB - Nick Kwiatkowski (CHI); #15 LB; Age 26; OTC Est. $6.5mm/2 yr w/$2.6mm guar
• OLB - Mychal Kendricks (SEA); #37 LB; Age 29; My Est. $6mm/2 yr w/$1mm guar
• FS - Jimmie Ward (SF); #6 S; Age 29; OTC Est. $16mm/2 yr w/ $6mm guar
• SS - Jayron Kearse (MN); Age 26; My Est. $10mm/4 yr w/$500k guar plus Incentives up to added $10mm w/$1.5mm guar
• CB - Maurice Canady (NYJ); #20 CB; Age 26; My Est. $4.5mm/3 yr w/$1mm guar

[The Gipper]

QB - AJ McCarron; Age 29; My Est. $5mm/2 yr; $2mm guar

[Tour2ma]

It's an MKC article.... so there's that... but the emphasis it places on our OL interest in FA includes some impressive names.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/03/case-keenum-as-the-ideal-backup-to-baker-mayfield-letting-joe-schobert-walk-and-other-browns-takes-from-combine-week.html

4. Redskins guard Brandon Scherff

5. Patriots guard Joe Thuney

6. Redskins left tackle Trent Williams (Trade)

7. Titans right tackle Jack Conklin

Obviously it's either 4 or 5 and likely either 6 or 7, but the names show we are looking to the top shelf for up to two OL needs.

[The Gipper]

I am still of the opinion that the Free Agency period should be starting like NOW.....first of March or thereabouts.    Not 2 weeks from now.

Just exactly what is the league waiting for?   Is this the designated  "take a Carribean vacation" period?   If so, I can understand that. 

Or is it just an "evaluation" period?    I would think they have had plenty of time for that

[ATOM]

@tour2ma said:

Couple more OTs hitting the market that caught my eye...

Another high-end UFA to go with Castonzo... the Pack Titan's Jack Conklin. Still young... he's going to cost even more in total.

And there are a couple in the more affordable category...

• Brian Bulaga (GB)... can't see the Pack committing to both him and Conklin; played hurt much of 2019.
• Cornelius Lucas (CHI)... pressed into service in 2019 and had a good year.
• Hala Vaitai (PHI)... also pressed into service and had a very good 2019 season. <==== a real target.

with letting shobert walk and maybe vernon would free up more than enough money along with what we all ready  have pay conklin what he wants and then i would still draft a ot with the tenth pick

[Tour2ma]

I know the trend is towards equal pay for both OTs, but I have issues paying a RT top dollar and that is what he is going to want.

Agree that our route to OT security is sign one and draft one, and I believe one we should be interested in will be there at #10.

Meanwhile from the lazy-ass sports "journalism" world... create a list of five hot UFAs... slap an enticingly authoritative title on the article and hit "publish"...

Cleveland Browns: 5 free agents the Browns should target

Let me spoil the suspense...

5. Hunter Henry... biggest TE name in FA

4. HaHa Clinton-Dix... a big Safety name

3. Justin Simmons... a hot, emerging Safety name

2. Jack Conklin... Likely the most expensive OT to sign... and...

1. Yannick Ngakoue... you should have seen this one coming...

I'm not even going to put up the link and reward this garbage.

[tiamat63]

@tour2ma said:

I know the trend is towards equal pay for both OTs, but I have issues paying a RT top dollar and that is what he is going to want.

Agree that our route to OT security is sign one and draft one, and I believe one we should be interested in will be there at #10.

Meanwhile from the lazy-ass sports "journalism" world... create a list of five hot UFAs... slap an enticingly authoritative title on the article and hit "publish"...

Cleveland Browns: 5 free agents the Browns should target

Let me spoil the suspense...

5. Hunter Henry... biggest TE name in FA

4. HaHa Clinton-Dix... a big Safety name

3. Justin Simmons... a hot, emerging Safety name

2. Jack Conklin... Likely the most expensive OT to sign... and...

1. Yannick Ngakoue... you should have seen this one coming...

I'm not even going to put up the link and reward this garbage.

DogPound Daily?

[Tour2ma]

@tiamat63 said:

DogPound Daily?

lol.... We have a winner.

[tiamat63]

@tour2ma said:

lol.... We have a winner.

That site is trash along with the overwhelming majority of their writers and content.

[TexasAg1969]

I thought the Chargers were talking about a franchise tag on Henry a few days ago.

[Tour2ma]

Eagles announced that they are not going to try to resign Jason Peters. He's 38, but still has a season or two in him.

Estimated price tag: 1 yrs — $9m avg/yr / $8.5m guaranteed, $9m total Via overthecap.com

Browns will explore LTs Trent Williams and Jason Peters now that Williams can seek a trade and Peters will be free

Williams, 31, has been given permission to seek a trade, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on Thursday, and the Eagles announced that Peters will hit the free agent market on March 18. Both players are represented by agent Vince Taylor.

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2020/03/browns-will-explore-lts-trent-williams-and-jason-peters-now-that-williams-can-seek-a-trade-and-peters-will-be-free.html

[ATOM]

bring in peters for one year not sure tho if he would work in a ZBS hopefully conklin and williams only if he does not want to break the bank(but man he does miss games) and of course there will be other teams after these same players

edit: williams only if we can get him for a third or fourth round pick

[gumby73]

@atom said:

 conklin and williams only if he does not want to break the bank(but man he does miss games) and of course there will be other teams after these same players

2 former GM's Pat Kirwin & Mark Dominick both believe Trent will be looking for a slight better deal than Taylor Lewan just got..Lewan is 28 & signed 5ys/80M w/50M upfront.. Both see Trent demanding 5 years at 85M ?.. we don't pay Myles 5th year option till 2022. but also Nick Chubb needs a contract in 2022. Bake & Ward's 5th yr. option is in 2023... Most of the talking heads say it's the Browns,Jets & Rams that are in the mix & Trent has coaching contacts with Shawn McVay & Browns OL coach Bill Callahan..

[Orion]

@the-gipper said:

Just exactly what is the league waiting for?

They're waiting for teams like us.  Teams hiring all new front office and coaching personnel.  Perhaps having to wait until the super bowl is over for a HC.  

@the-gipper said:

Or is it just an "evaluation" period?  

Yes.  Because those teams like us need time to evaluate their 'own' players and weaknesses, the combine thingy, evaluate upcoming free agents.  There's a ton for teams like us to get done.  

-----  I would like to draft our LT please!  No overpaying some old guy for a season or two of 'over the hill' play...no thank you.   Let's get a fresh one.