The Cleveland Browns came into the offseason with a high amount of cap space and while they did not sign any major free agents, the team added players like Tramon Williams, Josh McCown, Brian Hartline and Randy Starks and now they may look at names like Dwayne Bowe, Stevan Ridley, Wes Welker, Hakeem Nicks or Jermaine Gresham on the market and this comes after they offered a first round pick in a trade for Sam Bradford.
The Browns signed McCown over bringing back Hoyer in free agency and now reports have come out that they also offered a first round pick for Bradford. The Eagles traded Nick Foles to the Rams for Bradford and after that move was made, Chip Kelly spoke to the media and said that a team had offered a first round pick for Bradford. The speculation immediately turned to the Browns, as they had a need at quarterback and also possess two first round picks this year.
--UPDATE: The Browns have signed Dwayne Bowe to a two year deal, according to ESPN.
According to ESPN Insider Adam Caplan, the Browns made a push for Bradford before he was traded to the Eagles and offered the number 19 pick to the Rams. The trade was first reported by NFL Network analyst Charley Casserley, but he did not say who the Rams offered the pick to. The team may have been interested after he was moved to the Eagles, but it was not revealed if they made the offer Kelly spoke about. Either way, it shows the Browns were interested in Bradford and while he is with the Eagles now, the team still could consider a trade, or they could try and draft a player like Marcus Mariota if they want to move up.
But enough about the quarterbacks. The Browns have been reportedly working on a deal with Dwayne Bowe after he was released by the Chiefs and he has visited with the team already. According to Caplan, the visit with Bowe went "very well" and there is "mutual interest" on both sides about signing the receiver. Caplan adds that Bowe doesn't currently have any other visits with teams and that could mean the sides are trying to agree on a contract. Bowe comes in after making 60 catches for 754 yards and zero touchdowns last season.
The Browns signed Brian Hartline this offseason and if they add Bowe that gives the team some solid depth with Andrew Hawkins at receiver. The team may look at other options, as Josh Gordon is facing a suspension and names like Wes Welker, Reggie Wayne, Greg Jennings and Hakeem Nicks could be cheap options. The team also could look at Stevan Ridley at running back, as he is coming off of an injury and could be a low risk, high upside option at a cheap price.
The team has lost Hoyer, Jordan Cameron, Buster Skrine and Jabaal Sheard this offseason and that is why players like Gresham and Bowe could be solid additions. The team needs some offensive weapons and they also lack depth at running back behind Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. The team thought they had a deal with Cameron, but he ended up signing with the Dolphins and now that Charles Clay has an offer sheet, the options on the market are limited.