Cleveland Browns: 5 options to replace Tashaun Gipson

Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) tackles Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) tackles Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) tackles Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns free safety Tashaun Gipson (39) tackles Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns may be in the market for a new free safety if Tashaun Gipson leaves in free agency. Here are five options for the team to look at in that comes to pass.

The Cleveland Browns are just a little more than two days away from the start of free agency and, along with it, the possibility of the annual exodus of players leaving for what they assume are greener pastures.

While the Browns have openly talked about trying to retain center Alex Mack, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and wide receiver Travis Benjamin, the club has been quiet about the prospects of resigning free safety Tashaun Gipson.

“I’ve expressed how much I want to be in the city of Cleveland, and I’m definitely still very profound with that, that I do want to be here, but at the end of the day, I do have to do what’s best for me and my career,” Gipson said about the prospects of staying with the team. “Ultimately, if the coach wants me around here, I think things will get done. If not, then we’ll see how it works out.

“As cliché as it may sound, I’ll be excited to be here if I’m here. If I’m not, I still will always wish and hope that the Browns have success because they deserve it.”

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming in 2012, Gipson worked his way to being a Pro Bowl selection in 2014. But a knee injury that season limited his effectiveness in 2015, leaving the Browns in the position of trying to work out his true value.

With around $48 million in salary cap space the Browns should be able to retain whichever free agents they would like, but the signs seem to be pointing to Gipson not being on that list.

So, if the Browns decide to move on from Gipson, here are five players they could look at – in free agency and the draft – to fill his position.

Next: George Iloka