Cleveland Browns : Top 5 Targets To Consider In Free Agency

CLEVELAND, OHIO – With NFL free agency roughly one month away and the 2012 NFL Draft 74 days away, Cleveland Browns general manager, Tom Heckert and team president Mike Holmgren have plenty of time to map out their strategy of bringing some much need talent to the shores of Lake Erie.

It is no secret that the Browns—on offense and defense—had next to no talent, and while players such as cornerback Joe Haden, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, defensive tackle Phil Taylor, defensive end Jabaal Sheard, wide receivers Greg Little and Jordan Norwood and—to a certain extent—quarterback Colt McCoy.

Cleveland would be decimated with injuries to running back Brandon Jackson, left guard Eric Steinbach and right tackle Tony Pashos during the 2011-12 season, which would only add to Cleveland’s woeful 4-12 season.

Going into free agency and the upcoming draft in April, The Browns have numerous off-season needs that must be addressed thru a combination of free agency and a solid draft.

With a projected salary cap of $21 million, Cleveland will have a chance to make a splash by being a big spender in free agency by signing some of the top free agents who will hit the market March 13th.

For the Browns, they have three free agents in running back Peyton Hillis, long-time kicker—and fan favorite—Phil Dawson and Jackson to either try and resign or let go off and try to upgrade all three in free agency or the draft.

And then there is the Coly McCoy conundrum.

McCoy, a former Texas Longhorn standout, will be going into his third year as the starting quarterback in Cleveland, has given both the Cleveland front office and fans more questions about his ability to be the Browns franchise quarterback than answers.

Behind a crippled offensive line and lack of talent at the skill positions due to injuries to starting wide receiver Mohamed Massaqoui, running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty.

McCoy would struggle by finishing the year on the injured reserve list after suffering a concussion from a helmet-to-helmet hit from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

In 21 starts under center for the Browns, McCoy has a 6-15 record as a starter, which may be attributed to a number of factors such as a porous offensive line, bad play-calling and lack of talent, but many in Cleveland wonder if McCoy is indeed the answer.

Cleveland needs stability at the quarterback spot, and if they choose to go after the likes of Matt Flynn in free agency or Robert Griffin III in the draft, then it will only add to the dysfunction at quarterback for Cleveland.

After standing pat in free agency last summer, will the Browns be more active in 2011-12?

This slideshow will cover the top five possible targets that the Browns may consider in key areas such as quarterback, wide receiver, running back and offensive line.

Cleveland has nine picks in April’s NFL draft—including five in the first 100—with all of the holes in Cleveland, the Browns may want to expedite the re-building process by adding a couple of free agents on top of possibly replacing Hillis, Jackson and Dawson—if they do indeed choose to leave.

While Heckert and Holmgren firmly believe in building thru the draft, these players may help them reconsider.

Enjoy!