Buster Skrine Getting A Lot of Attention Early in Free Agency
The Cleveland Browns chose not to Franchise or Transition Tag Buster Skrine. With Joe Haden already locked up to a big deal and youngsters Justin Gilbert, Pierre Desir and K’Waun Williams waiting in the wings, the decision made a lot of sense. While many Browns fans don’t think highly of Skrine, it is becoming obvious that many in the league value his production:
8 teams have expressed interest in #Browns CB Buster Skrine in the 1st 3 hours of the negotiating window today.
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 7, 2015
That is a lot of interest early. While teams are often interested in talented players, for 8 teams to have expressed interest in Skrine says a lot. The Browns are unlikely to bring him back at this point. 8 teams in the bidding means that Skrine is likely getting a contract beyond what the Browns feel fits their team. With money locked up in Haden, Donte Whitner and soon to be Tashaun Gipson, the Browns have to be careful about not putting too much money into the secondary.
Fans are not less likely to care that Skrine leaves. Most remember the times when the ultra aggressive, but small, corner was burnt on plays. Yet his feisty nature and experience in a number of systems is what likely has many teams drawn to him. The limited corner market could also be helping him.
More from Dawg Pound Daily
- 3 Cleveland Browns players who don’t deserve another season in 2023
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
He did not grade out well via PFF. He was given a -6.3 rating, though he did play the second most snaps of any corner that is a free agent this year. He has the 14th worst PFF grade of free agent corners. To put it into perspective, 19 free agent corners received either 0 or positive grades. The two zero scores were for players who missed the entire season while a few of the positive scores went to players who played less than 100 snaps.
As it is, expect Skrine to get a big contract in the next few days and move on from the Browns. If Gilbert, as we have seen reported, is putting in good work this off-season, Desir is much better with his red-shirt year out of the way and Williams doesn’t have long term issues from his concussions, then the Browns will be in good shape. We also expect them to draft a corner in the middle rounds this, and every, year.
What do you think of all the interest in Buster Skrine so quickly in Free Agency?