The Cleveland Browns have a ton of money to spend in free agency this offseason and names like Darrelle Revis, Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond could be targets in the secondary after the way Justin Gilbert struggled and this comes as the team may consider the trade or release of Josh Gordon after his latest suspension, while a Jay Cutler trade could be a drastic move at quarterback over Johnny Manziel for 2015.
The Browns ended the season as badly as anyone and the offseason has not given the team positive news either. After Josh Gordon was suspended for Week 17 and Johnny Manziel was punished for being late, Manziel entered rehab treatment and Gordon was hit with a year ban for violating terms of his NFL punishment by drinking alcohol. Adding insult to injury, Ray Farmer and the team could be facing penalties for texting down plays to the sideline to use during games.
With all that in mind, the Browns may try and spend their way to some good PR, as names like Ndamukong Suh, Jeremy Maclin, Revis, Byron Maxwell, CJ Spiller and Julius Thomas are all on the market. The team likely will be spending big this offseason, as Jeremy Fowler ESPN.com reports that the team expects to use "most" of their cap space this winter. The team doesn't have many major free agents and with Brian Hoyer an option to return, wide receivers could be a place to look at in free agency.
CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported on Gilbert and his struggles and sources said that he was seen as a "a nuisance (rather) than an asset" this season and that could make the Browns 2014 first round a disaster. The team opted to give up the chance at taking Sammy Watkins to get Gilbert and on top of that, the team took Manziel at number 22 and he has turned out to be nothing but a distraction so far. The team has some options on the market, including Maxwell, Revis and Thurmond, while Ndamukong Suh also could be a potential target for the Browns.
According to ESPN.com, Darrelle Revis is likely not an option for the Browns, as the Patriots may keep him with their team option. Even if Revis becomes a free agent, many expect him to sign with just three teams: the Jets, Bills or Patriots. Revis wants to return to the Patriots and it could be conceivable that he signs back with the Jets, or rejoins his old coach in Buffalo with Rex Ryan. If the Browns are serious about DBs, both Maxwell and Thurmond could be potential options to add.
At the QB position, the Browns are basically starting at square one right now and while Brian Hoyer may return, the team could be looking at other moves. Cutler reportedly could be available, while names like Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford and Jake Locker are other potential options with Kirk Cousins. The Browns have tons of cap space and extra draft picks this year, including two in the first round, meaning they have the flexibility to look at all options.
The Browns defense actually wasn't that bad against the pass, ranking eighth in the league in yards per game, but they clearly need some upgrades. The team also could look at Suh hard, as they have the money to do it and the need for it. The team ranked last in the league last season in rushing yards allowed per game with 141 yards per contest and Suh could help fix that quickly.
