Cleveland Browns: The false notion of Terrelle Pryor having a low value
Some Cleveland Browns fans may think Terrelle Pryor is asking for too much money, but the market will dictate what he is worth in 2017.
If the Cleveland Browns want to have any success on offense in 2017, they need to acquire some talent at several positions.
The NFL Draft allows the Browns to go out and potentially draft some linemen, a running back, and even a quarterback, but they took care of the receiver position in 2017. Or so we were told.
The Browns drafted four receivers in 2016, but the best receiver on offense in 2016 was not one of the four drafted players, but rather a former quarterback who made the successful transition to wideout.
Terrelle Pryor was the star of Cleveland’s offense in 2016, yet the team did not jump on the chance to offer him an extension during the season. Now it is March, and the Browns are about to let him hit the open market, where he will receive offers of anywhere from $10-15 million from teams looking to add a solid playmaker.
His salary figure is not some random number he put out there, but rather where his value lies based on the current market. With Pierre Garcon set to earn $16 million in 2017, Pryor now has more bargaining power. Don’t blame him, blame other teams in the NFL.
When some fans see how much Pryor is asking for, they immediately claim he isn’t worth that value. Well, guess what, he is. At least he is based on the NFL market.
Related: Pryor ranked No. 9 free agent
And with over $100 million to spend, the Browns will have to overpay some players if they want any talented players to commit to the Browns on a long-term deal. Why come to this team when one can get the same money, or more, with a contender?
If the Browns determine Pryor isn’t worth a certain figure, and another team gives him the money and he succeeds, it just makes the Browns look like fools. Fans cannot continue to assume the team will draft top talent, making players like Pryor disposable. When someone like him has a great season, he must be retained. There is no excuse to claim he costs too much with the cap space available.
Next: Tyrod Taylor no longer an option in 2017
Free agency begins tomorrow, and Pryor is going to receive some major deals from around the NFL. No matter what the Browns think, he is going to receive major money from one team in 2017. Letting him walk would be a mistake, so the Browns must start acting like a successful team and retain the talented receiver.