Mark Sanchez: Browns Free Agency Profile
The Cleveland Browns season is over. We will spend a good amount of time reviewing the season but we will spend even more time preparing for the off-season. Browns free agency seems destined to be an interesting one. The Browns spent a little bit of money last year with anticipating of building through the draft for long term success. The 2014 was expected to be another down year with high expectations towards the future.
Instead the 2014 started off strong and ended with a thud. Now the Browns are full of salary cap space, even though they have a few free agents of their own they might like to sign, as well as 10 picks in the NFL Draft, including two 1st rounders. It is likely that GM Ray Farmer and Head Coach Mike Pettine see a greater need for more veteran talent on a very young roster and we expect them to be aggressive in seeking to bring in that talent during Browns free agency.
In preparation for such we will be taking a look at certain players that we think the Browns could target. Keep in mind we are not saying that these are players they are targeting, although some rumors may start to leak of the Browns having interest in them, instead these are players that we think the Browns could or should have interest in. Our profile will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for free agency.
Previously – Mike Iupati
Name
Postion
QB
Height/Weight
6’2″ 225 lbs
2014 Team
Philadelphia Eagles
Stats
9 Games; 64% completion, 2,418 yards passing, 14 Tds, 11 INTs, 3 Fumbles
2014 Free Agent Signing Comparison Contract
Josh McCown – Bucs – 2 years, $10 million with incentives up to $15 million total contract value
The 2014 QB free agent class is pretty similar to this upcoming years. Sanchez was a free agent last year, signing for $2.25 million, with very few other quarterbacks worthy of even competing for a starting spot in the NFL available. Similar this year as Sanchez, Brian Hoyer and a few others hit the market.
Fit with the Browns
Sanchez has experience with Mike Pettine from their time together with the New York Jets. He is a game manager type quarterback who is used to time in a ground and pound system. Kyle Shanahan’s offense made Hoyer look good for awhile and can do the same for Sanchez. He also has experience that could help mentor Johnny Manziel a bit, as the Sanchize went from being a rockstar to a nobody pretty quickly. Some may not see him as a big upgrade over Brian Hoyer, he may not be, but Hoyer may not want to return to Cleveland and Farmer and Pettine don’t want to just give Manziel the job.
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Browns Player Signing Could Impact
Hoyer is not likely to return but signing Sanchez would put the nail in the coffin for the hometown boy. Sanchez would likely compete with Manziel to start, which could be enough motivation for Manziel in the off-season and if the young QB doesn’t have what it takes then Sanchez holds down the fort until the next “Future of the Franchise” is brought in.
How Signing Could Impact the NFL Draft
The Browns seem to have their 3rd string, developmental guy in Connor Shaw. Signing Sanchez to go along with Manziel and Shaw likely would take them out drafting a QB but it couldn’t be ruled out. It is the most important position on the field and you don’t turn your back on a player because of Shaw or Sanchez.
Priority
Medium – The Browns can’t let Manziel think he is the guy without giving him someone to push him. Yet Sanchez, or any other QB, isn’t good enough to spend a lot of time or money on. If they can get him at the right price they will do it.
What do you think about targeting Mark Sanchez in Browns Free Agency?