The Cleveland Browns are going to look at every wide receiver option on the open market in order to help rebuild the offense. With a new quarterback likely taking over in 2015 after the signing of Josh McCown and they need to surround him with talent in order to succeed. The Browns ground game is essentially set after the success of two rookies last season, but the wide receiver group is lacking a lot of fire power and the team intends to change that.
The Browns are starting to make their way through the wide receivers already available on the free agent market while preparing for several more next week. Last season, the Browns last thanks to overachieving by Miles Austin and Andrew Hawkins. The chances that happens twice are slim to none causing Cleveland to make adjustments. Looking to not overspend on big names, the Browns are making a wishlist of everyone set to be available.
According to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland, the Browns will not be looking to Cecil Shorts III, but remain interested in Brian Hartline. Shorts is a difficult player to evaluate which is likely playing in to which teams show interest in him. He has been with the Jacksonville Jaguars since 2011 and has yet to have a decent quarterback to throw him the ball. Shorts is an Ohio native which makes the signing an easy option, but the Browns are not willing to risk a deal on him if he ends up not being the real deal in 2015.
The Browns could be the frontrunners to sign Hartline to a contract. The team brought in the former Ohio State star for a workout, but he left without a deal in place. If the Browns want Hartline, they need to sign him immediately. The wide receiver is getting plenty of looks as an affordable, yet productive roster addition. Hartline could really help get the Browns on the right track while not breaking their bank.
Grossi believes the Browns will try and pull some big names to the team when the market opens, but are not expected to make any trades for a receiver. Cleveland has been linked to both Andre Johnson and Mike Wallace, but those moves are not worth it if the team can get someone like Randall Cobb, Michael Crabtree or even Jeremy Maclin to come over.
