Jermaine Kearse: 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 year 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 the 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.
Every Free Agent Profile Done Can Be Found Here: 2015 Browns Free Agency Profile List
Name
Position
WR
Height/Weight
6-1/209
2014 Team
Seattle Seahawks
Stats:
15 Games, 38 REC, 537 YDS, 1 TD
PFF Grade/Rank: (Link)
Grade: -5.2, Rank: 40th out of 54 Free Agent Wide Receivers
2014 Free Agent Signing Comparison Contract
Emmanuel Sanders (3 years, $18 million with the Denver Broncos)
The easiest comparison might be with the Cleveland Browns own Andrew Hawkins as Kearse is a restricted free agent like Hawk was last year. However, Kearse is a bigger player with a little more upside and is likely to be tendered at a higher level than Kearse was. Sanders came over from Pittsburgh as a unrestricted free agent but still had to prove himself after two decent seasons in the AFC North. His contract reflected that and Kearse is likely to see something similar, depending on what level the Seahawks tender him.
Fit with the Browns
Kearse is an interesting receiver. At 6’1″ he isn’t huge but compared to the rest of the Browns receiving corp he looks like a giant. The 25 year old hasn’t proven himself yet as a stud receiver but doesn’t get a ton of chances in Seattle’s run first, spread it around offense. His 7 catches and over 200 yards and 2 TDs in the playoffs this year will help his standing. Kearse would be a solid addition on the outside but not a player the Browns would likely sign if tendered at a level the team would have to give up a draft pick for. The Seahawks are likely to tender him in such a way.
Than again he did make this catch:
Browns Player Signing Could Impact
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Travis Benjamin – Benjamin’s spot on the team is in peril no matter who the Browns bring in on the free agent market. Benjamin lost confidence as a returner last year and has only showed blips of talent as a receiver. He has some games where he snags tough passes and others where he drops easy ones. He is a receiver that will intrigue us as to what happens to him this off-season.
How Signing Could Impact the NFL Draft
Signing Kearse would give the Browns a solid receiver that can move the sticks and make plays. It may allow the team to decide to go for the higher upside receiver when choosing between two. Kearse wouldn’t keep the Browns from drafting a receiver but it also would allow them to feel comfortable at not reaching for one.
Priority
Medium or Low – Everything with Kearse depends on how they tender him. The Browns are not going to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick for Kearse but might make a play at him if he gets the lowest level, as Kearse was undrafted player the Browns wouldn’t have to give up a pick. Much like Hawkins last year, that will likely be a delayed decision in free agency as the Browns, Seahawks and Kearse let the market play out a little bit.
What do you think about targeting Jermaine Kearse in Browns Free Agency?