Cleveland Browns: Needing to seek help from the outside
By Shane Carter
Nate Solder
Another Patriot headed for free agency, Nate Solder is probably headed for a big payday. He’ s been protecting Tom Brady’s backside since he was drafted in 2011, but he could be wearing new colors in 2018.
Now, as of today, offensive tackle is not a need. But with the uncertainty of Joe Thomas’ future and the possibility of upgrading the right side, anything is possible.
Shon Coleman did a solid job at right tackle, but let’s not kid ourselves and pretend that if Solder came over to play the right side (which he can do), it would make the offensive line complete sans Thomas.
Solder looks like he’ll be paid somewhere from $9 to $11 million a year, and one again, Cleveland could afford it. Whether or not it’s contingent on if Joe Thomas returns, all remains to be seen.
Allen Robinson
Finally, we finish on perhaps the most asked about name among free agency in Browns Twitter: Allen Robinson.
Coming off a season he missed with an ACL injury, Robinson looked like the next player to get a big Jacksonville payday. Instead, Blake Bortles got a 3-year $54 million deal, which made the team have to decide between Robinson and another free agent wide receiver, Marquise Lee. Ultimately, not only will Lee get a deal instead, but the Jaguars won’t be using the franchise tag on A-Rob.
In other words, he’s fair game.
His health will be a factor moving forward because his next deal is expected to be somewhere from $12 to $14 million a year. It’s a gamble either way.
Next: Browns should be looking at wide receiver D.J. Chark
While fans would love to see a receiving corp featuring Josh Gordon and Allen Robinson on the outside, they must also realize the risks involved. But if there is ever a team to use their wallet and take a risk in order to make their team better, it’s Cleveland.