The Cleveland Browns spent the first month of free agency revamping the offensive line and adding minor depth pieces. That was a solid start to the offseason, but now it's time to address their other major roster need.
The Browns have yet to add a significant wide receiver to the mix. They signed Tylan Wallace, but he's likely a special teams addition, and he may not even make the 53-man roster. Fortunately for GM Andrew Berry, there are still several veterans up for grabs.
While most of the stars are already signed, Stefon Diggs is still a free agent. He comes with plenty of baggage and distractions, but beggars can't be choosers, and the Browns need someone who can hold onto the ball and make plays. Diggs is still that guy.
Stefon Diggs makes sense for the Browns if the price is right
The New England Patriots' decision to cut ties with Diggs this offseason may have more to do with the salary cap than anything. He closed out the season with multiple disappearing acts in the playoffs, but he was solid for most of the regular season, and the Patriots said all the right things about him as a veteran leader in the locker room.
Now, Berry could go bargain-hunting, which is one of his go-to approaches at this time of year. Spotrac projects Diggs' market value at two years and $27.6 million, but the Browns might be able to get him for far less than that.
Admittedly, he's not going to be a long-term solution at wide receiver, but it's hard to believe he would be much worse than Jerry Jeudy and his nine drops last season. Diggs had 85 receptions on 102 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns with Drake Maye at the helm, and whoever gets the nod to be the Browns' QB1 will need someone to pass the ball to.
The Browns will most likely add at least one wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft, but chances are they will get two or even three guys to join the room. Iron sharpens iron, and Diggs can help bring out the best of them with some friendly competition, not to mention that some of those rookies may not be ready to make an impact right out of the gate.
Diggs' reputation is impossible to ignore, but that hasn't stopped the Browns before. Moreover, he's either the best or second-best wide receiver still unsigned, and if they can get him on a short-term deal, there's no reason he shouldn't be at least in the mix.