Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

Cleveland Browns: 2016 free agency guide

By Eric Szczepinski

Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) in a preseason NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns center Alex Mack (55) in a preseason NFL football game at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) breaks a tackle from Baltimore Ravens defensive back Shareece Wright (35) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) breaks a tackle from Baltimore Ravens defensive back Shareece Wright (35) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Marvin Jones, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

It has been widely reported that Marvin Jones will be on of the top targets for the Browns once free agency begins. Jones has played in Hue Jackson’s offensive system the past two seasons where he flourished. Jones emerged in 2013 as the Bengals No. 2 receiver behind A.J. Green, a season where he scored 10 touchdowns.

A combination of ankle and knee injuries forced Jones to miss the entire 2014 season, but he bounced back this past year to catch 65 passes for 816 yards and four touchdowns. At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, Jones would provide the size the Browns need on the perimeter, and Jones would be able to emerge as a true No. 1 receiver (or a No. 2 if Josh Gordon returns). Jones has a rare combination of size and speed and will continue to get better as he is just 25 years old.

Jones will likely demand a big contract, but with the connection to Jackson the Browns seem like front-runners to sign the market’s top receiver.

Estimated yearly salary: $5-7 million

Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) stiff arms Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) stiff arms Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Doug Martin, Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Doug Martin is coming off a career year in which he was second in the league in rushing with 1,402 yards after two disappointing injury plagued seasons in 2013 and 2014. At age 27, Martin is looking for a big contract to secure his future.

Martin is a complete running back that would give Hue Jackson an elite rushing option to pair with the speedy pass catching Duke Johnson. Martin showed his elite skill set this past year and would take pressure off of the new starting quarterback. Running back isn’t the biggest need for the Browns but adding a top level rusher would give the Browns a dynamic running game in Jackson’s system.

The market is not the same for running backs as it once was and Martin won’t cash in as much as other top free agents. The Browns can afford to overpay Martin and secure a top weapon on offense for the next several years.

Estimated yearly salary $4-5 million

Next: Report: Travis Benjamin to sign with San Diego

The Cleveland Browns will open free agency today with a little more than $48 million in salary cap space to spend. Follow Dawg Pound Daily for all the latest news on free agency as the Browns work to rebuild their roster.

Home/Browns Free Agency