Cleveland Browns: 3 Free agent WR bargains to consider
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns No. 1 free agent WR bargain: Cedrick Wilson
There are few wide receivers on the Dallas Cowboys roster that are free agents or could be released for cap space reasons including Amari Cooper. Cedrick Wilson and Michael Gallup are both free agents.
The popular free agent pick seems to be Gallup, but he suffered a torn ACL knee injury and recently had surgery and likely won’t be ready to go until August or September. However, Michael Fisher, who writes for Sports Illustrated and the Dallas Star News says that sources from the Cowboys have shared that it’s their “priority” to sign Gallup on a new contract.
That leaves Wilson available and potentially Cooper if Dallas releases him. Cooper, even if released would demand a lot of money from another team. If the Cowboys were to let him go, they’d save $16 million and absorb $6 million in dead cap money.
Wilson on the other hand, who stepped in nicely for Gallup when he went down with the knee injury, would demand a much less expensive deal and one the Browns might be intrigued by. According to Spotrac.com, his market value for his next contract would be $6.4 million. He played this past season for $2.1 million.
He has shown steady improvement in his first three seasons in the league. The 6th round pick from Boise State, who also stands at 6-foot-2 in height, finished this season catching 45 passes for 602 yards with six touchdowns. He averaged 13.4 yards per catch. He’s young too at only 26 years old, which would fit one of the Browns front office common qualifications they look for typically.
If the Cowboys do stick with their priority of resigning Gallup, then Wilson might just be the best bargain for a team like the Browns who need talent at the wide receiver position.