Cleveland Browns: Grading the moves from Day 1 of free agency

The Cleveland Browns made waves on Thursday with some major deals on what was the first day of free agency for the 2017 season.

The Cleveland Browns made a surprising splash on day one of free agency by making several signings and one shocking trade. The Browns entered the free agency period with by far the most spending money in the league with over $100 million available to spend. Between the available salary and multitude of draft picks, the Cleveland Browns regime led by Sashi Brown is equipped to turn things around.

The future of the organization is trending upward after the Browns organization delivered a great start to free agency. 4 p.m. on Thursday marked the official start of when teams could begin to sign free agents. Beginning early Thursday morning the front office was active spending their money wisely in order to improve a roster that lacks overall talent.

Quickly into the day on Thursday it became evident what the Browns were prioritizing spending their money on. The team addressed the offensive line signing two new starters in J.C. Tretter and Kevin Zeitler. Additionally, the team gave a contract extension to talented offensive lineman Joel Bitonio. The team also added a proven veteran wide receiver and made the trade that shocked NFL media outlets.

Here are grades for each of the Browns moves on day one of the free agency period .

Kenny Britt, Wide Receiver: 4 years, $32.5 million, 17 million guaranteed 

The 28-year-old wide receiver is coming off a career season with the Los Angles Rams in which he recorded 68 receptions, 1,002 yards and scored five touchdowns. Kenny Britt was originally drafted 30th overall in 2009 out of Rutgers by the Tennessee Titans.

Britt has battled injuries over the first half of his career and has underperformed on the field due to numerous off-the-field issues. However, since joining the Rams in 2014 Britt has kept his nose clean and has become a steady receiving option for the Rams.

The Rams quarterback situation has been similar to the Browns and Britt’s 1,000 yard season is impressive given the circumstances. Still on the right side of 30 years old, Britt is a solid number two receiving option to pair with youngster Corey Coleman and hopefully Terrelle Pryor.

Pryor and Britt posted similar stats last season and if the Browns can’t lock up Pryor long-term, Britt replaces the production of Pryor but isn’t necessarily an upgrade in terms of potential. This was a safe signing by the Browns to get a reliable starting option in case Pryor isn’t coming back.

GRADE: B- 

The key to this signing is whether or not Terrelle Pryor is coming back. If Pryor is back, the Browns will have a solid trio of receivers. However, Britt is not as fast, athletic, and lacks the upside Pryor has in terms of career potential. Britt is a solid fall back option if Pryor leaves but in no way is an upgrade.

Kevin Zeitler, Offensive Guard: 5 years, $60 million, $31.5 million guaranteed 

Kevin Zeitler was rumored to be on the Browns’ radar as early as Monday before free agency started. Zeitler fills a hole at right guard for the Browns.

Drafted out of Wisconsin in 2012, Zeitler has spent his entire five-year career as a starter for the Cincinnati Bengals. Browns head coach Hue Jackson is familiar with Zeitler from his time as the Bengals offensive coordinator from 2014-2015.

Jackson knows exactly what he will bring to his offensive line as Zeitler is experienced playing in Hue Jackson’s offensive scheme. The team has had major holes amongst the offensive line since the departures of Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz, and addressing the line in free agency will surely be a major help to whoever is under center in 2017.

Zeitler has been one of the top offensive linemen the past few seasons pointed out by Stack Media’s Jordan Zirm.

GRADE: A

Zeitler is one of the top ranked offensive guards in the league and now will reunite with coach Hue Jackson. Zeitler is the first big-time signing for this regime and shows the organizations’ desire to win and build a strong offensive line.

J.C. Tretter, Center: 3 years, $16. 75 million, $10 million guaranteed 

The Browns’ free agency philosophy quickly came into focus on Thursday afternoon with the offensive line signings made. In addition to the signing of guard Kevin Zeitler, the team addressed the need for a solid quarterback of the offensive line in the center position.

J.C. Tretter is an immediate upgrade over current center Cam Erving and has been a top center in the league protecting Aaron Rodgers. Tretter was drafted in the fourth round in 2013 out of Cornell by the Green Bay Packers. Before being injured in Week 8, the 26-year-old was ranked as one of the top center’s as pointed out by Evan Silva of Pro Football Focus.

GRADE: B 

When healthy, Tretter has proved to be an elite center. However, he only started seven games in 2016 before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. If Tretter stays healthy, the Browns will have got a steal of a signing.

Browns acquire Brock Osweiler and a 2018 second-round pick from the Houston Texans

The most shocking transaction on day one of NFL free agency came when the Browns and Texans struck a deal which involved quarterback Brock Osweiler.  The details of the trade reported by Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.

The Texans admitted a mistake in signing Brock Osweiler to a big contract by trading him away to the Cleveland Browns. The Texans wanted to dump his salary in order to clear salary cap in order to make an attempt to sign Tony Romo.

Why would the Browns do this you may ask? The Browns front office places a high value on draft picks and to take Osweiler’s $16 million a year contract the Browns were able to acquire a second-round pick for 2018 from Houston.

It is reported the Browns have no plans to go forward with Osweiler as the quarterback of the future and did this trade to acquire the valuable future draft selection. With over $100 million to spend the Browns essentially bought a second-round pick for $16 million.

The Browns are in the process of now trying to find another trade partner to ship Osweiler to or they may simply release him. However, if Osweiler stays on the roster, he is set to make $16 million this season and the Browns will not owe him any guaranteed money past the 2017 season. The Browns have a surplus of salary to spend and will absorb Oswelier’s contract for the meantime to give the team potential draft and trade assets.

GRADE: A+

A salary dump trade is often seen in the MLB or NBA and is rarely if ever seen in professional football. Give the Browns front office credit for coming up with a creative way to acquire another valuable draft asset.

Re-signing of Joel Bitonio

Adam Schefter was the first to report the massive contract extension for Joel Bitonio.

In addition to signing two starting offensive lineman in J.C . Tretter and Kevin Zeitler, the team prioritized keeping their own young talent. The team announced the contract extension of young talented offensive guard Joel Bitonio.

Bitonio was a second-round draft selection by the Browns in 2014 and instantly became a top offensive guard around the league. As a rookie in 2014, Bitonio was named to the Pro Football Writer’s Association All-AFC team and All-Rookie teams. Bitonio has suffered lower body injuries in each of the last two seasons missing 17 total games. They key for Bitonio will to remain healthy, finding his All-Pro rookie form.

Next: Browns off to fast start in free agency

GRADE: A

Bitonio is one of the most talented players on the Browns roster. At 25 years old the team locked up the talented lineman before he gets to the open market. The team has struggled to keep their own talent in recent seasons and this shows the front office’s desire to keep their own talent.