Although the Browns have made some important moves in free agency, there are still some missed opportunities that could’ve helped to improve the roster. The Cleveland wide receiver room is still a major weakness on the team, and they have yet to sign anyone to help fill this void.
Mike Evans is a vertical threat who could’ve been a potential target for the Browns on a short-term deal. He ultimately agreed to a three-year, $42.5 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Likely, Cleveland wasn’t interested
in giving him a contract of that magnitude and length, but it would’ve been interesting to see him in this offense.
Alec Pierce would’ve been another interesting piece to consider in this offense; however, he chose to sign a four-year, $116 million extension with the Indianapolis Colts. He is a young player that many teams would be interested in as a long-term piece, but it was clear he preferred to stay in Indianapolis, and the team was willing to pay him what he was looking for, making him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league.
Michael Pittman was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the cost of moving down from the sixth to the seventh round. Pittman did get a three-year extension worth almost $60 million, something Cleveland could have afforded for a player who has had 80 catches or more and over 800 yards in four of the last five seasons.
Center Tyler Linderbaum, who was previously on the Baltimore Ravens, signed a three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Many expected the Browns to be contenders for this signing, given Linderbaum’s connection to head coach Todd Monken from their time together in Baltimore. Although this missed opportunity was initially disappointing, Cleveland did sign center Elgton Jenkins to a two-year deal. Ideally, Jenkins can bring the steady, reliable play at the position that this team has been missing.
Let me know what you think in the comments – What are some missed opportunities for the Browns in free agency so far?
