The Cleveland Browns have gone from first to worst in terms of managing their salary cap. The Browns now rank 23rd in cap space which means they have anywhere from $14-$17 million available for free agency and signing/resigning their players.
Their primary goal will be to resign their star safety Tashaun Gipson who will be a free agent in 2016. The Browns must load up on weapons in the offseason to help support the development of their new franchise quarterback.
The Browns will continue to rebuild both the offense and the defense in the 2016 offseason which means they will need to free up some cap space as a result. Star cornerback Joe Haden suffered several concussions this season leading the Browns to put him on IR. Now he enters 2016 as the biggest cap hit on the books at $13,400,000 and has only recorded 10 interceptions since 2012.
The price to keep Haden may be too steep as the Browns will continue to look for playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. It would not be a shock to see Donte Whitner released as well since he will count $8,450,000 against the Browns cap. Whitner had 4 pass defenses, 81 tackles, and 1 forced fumble in 2015.