Is Andre Holmes This Year’s Andrew Hawkins for Browns?
The Cleveland Browns reeled in Andrew Hawkins in restricted free agency last year when the Cincinnati Bengals gave him the lowest restricted free agency tender. Andre Holmes was given the same tender this year from the Oakland Raiders, a curious decision based on their huge amount of cap space. Could the Browns swoop in once again to snatch up a restricted free agent receiver? A few people seem to think so:
So what do we know about Holmes? The third year player spent 7 games with the Cowboys his rookie season before moving over to Oakland. He played in 10 games in 2013 and all 16 games last year. He had 47 receptions, 693 yards and 4 touchdowns. 32 of his 47 catches went for 1st downs and he averaged 14.7 yards per reception. The year prior, in only 10 games, he had 25 catches for 431 yards and 1 touchdown. 21 of his 25 catches were for first downs and he had a 17.2 YPC average. What else do we know about the big guy? Here someone compared him to Josh Gordon:
Interesting numbers but obviously pure athletic talent doesn’t define a receiver. Some have concerns about his numerous drops last season but others explain that Derek Carr‘s poor accuracy was to blame:
We should comfortably be able to add the Browns to that list with the Carolina Panthers and a number of other teams. The Browns have familiarity with Holmes through new OC John DeFilippo which could lead them to pursue him hard. Holmes would have a good idea how he would be used by Flip as well which could lead to him wanting to come to Cleveland.
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The Browns, like they did with Hawk, would likely wait for a little bit to make an offer to Holmes. It first allows the team to focus on unrestricted players but it also allows the Browns to let the Raiders use up as much cap space as possible. It is unlikely, with the huge space Oakland has accumulated, that they will be able to make it tough on the Raiders cap but the Raiders are likely to be active and could sign a WR or two even.
Signing Holmes and Cecil Shorts would be a quick upgrade to the Browns receiving group and, with the addition of a receiver in the first 3 rounds of the draft, could setup Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel nicely.
What do you think about Andre Holmes to the Browns? Is he the next Andrew Hawkins?