Browns Interested in TE Jared Cook (and Just About Everyone Else)

According to “league sources,” the Browns are interested in just about every available free agent, including tight end Jared Cook and defensive end Cliff Avril. Of course, those names just add to an already long list that contains names such as linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, cornerback Antoine Cason, and a variety of other players.

The Browns have money to spend, so one should assume they would be interested in plenty of free agents. However, most of this is pure speculation and/or wishful thinking. The Browns won’t be nabbing everybody, and even if they did, that strategy doesn’t exactly work (see: the Eagles of the last two seasons).

There are plenty of holes on this roster, and the Browns should be worried about their lack of depth in the new front seven. In that regard, finding a few quality free agents makes sense. But breaking the bank for everybody won’t end well.

Tempering expectations has become somewhat of an art form this time of year. Rather than recognizing the quality in Jordan Cameron, Jared Cook’s name sends everyone into a frenzy. The mere thought of Greg Jennings is enough to put others into uncontrollable fits of joy and Super Bowl proclamations.

The Browns won’t be getting most of these players. They will be lucky to get one or two. And that might not even include the big-ticket free agents everyone covets.