Free Agent Brandon Flowers Connections to the Cleveland Browns

Brandon Flowers was cut today by the Kansas City Chiefs. Flowers was a foundational piece of the Chiefs defensive backfield and was highly successful. Flowers was drafted in the second round, 35th overall. He signed a 5 year extension in 2011 for $50 million dollars with the Chiefs but was released for salary cap purposes. Andy Reid likes to get rid of veteran players earlier rather then later and looks like he did so here with Flowers.

For the Cleveland Browns there are 2 front office connections that could be interested in bringing Flowers in. GM Ray Farmer was the Director of Pro Personnel when Flowers was drafted and when he signed his extension in ’11. Also working with Farmer in the Browns Front Office is Bill Kuharich who was in charge of the Chiefs’ draft the year Flowers came in. Those connections could create mutual interest between Flowers and the Browns.

The Browns have invested in Joe Haden, their #1 corner, with a big contract extension. They also drafted Justin Gilbert #8 overall and Pierre Desir in the 4th round. They also have Buster Skrine who has improved every year in the NFL. Yet Flowers could be a perfect addition this late in the off-season as he has experience in the 3-4 defense. He doesn’t have the size of Haden or Gilbert but at 5’9″ he has the strength to cover slot receivers and the experience to allow Mike Pettine’s defense to pressure from a variety of spots on the field. With Haden, Gilbert, Flowers, Skrine and Desir the Browns would possibly have the best talent of corners in the pass happy NFL.

It is unlikely the Browns would spend more on the position but could see a unique opportunity to be excellent in a very important area of the defense. The Browns still have a ton of cap space, but since it can be carried over spending any this year does impact next year. Flowers also may want to come in someplace that he can be a starter and/or have a real shot at the playoffs. While the Browns are improving they aren’t high on the list of teams expected to make the playoffs. Yet who you know is important in life, and Flowers and Farmer know each other and anything could happen.

Do you think the Browns should or will sign Flowers? Do you think he should be interested in joining the Browns?