The Cleveland Browns have missed out on the top free agents like Jeremy Maclin and Randall Cobb this offseason and now names like Charles Clay, Dwayne Bowe, Cecil Shorts, Percy Harvin and Scott Chandler could be potential options and this comes as the team may consider a trade up in the draft for Marcus Mariota or another quarterback.
According to ESPN.com, the Browns are making a "competitive push" for Charles Clay along with the Buffalo Bills. The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on Clay, which is numbered at $7 million and that means the Browns or Bills could price Miami out. The Dolphins just spent huge on Ndamukong Suh with a $114 million deal and that could lead to Clay leaving for another team. Clay is coming in for a visit with the Browns and this comes after he visited with the Bills.
The Browns have Josh Gordon suspended for 2015 and while they have already signed Brian Hartline, they could look at other free agents on the market. Dwayne Bowe was released by the Chiefs, while Percy Harvin is on the market after being cut by the Jets. The Browns could look at either of those players after signing Brian Hartline, as they need some depth with Josh Gordon suspended.
The Bills felt confident enough about Clay to release Scott Chandler, but if Clay signs with Cleveland, they could look at other options, including Jacob Tamme or Jermaine Gresham. Last season Clay had 58 catches for 605 yards along with three touchdowns and he could take over in Cleveland for Jordan Cameron if he doesn't return. Percy Harvin, Dwayne Bowe and Cecil Shorts are also on the free agent market and could be potential targets for the Browns on offense.
Clay comes into the market at a good time, as he has had over 1300 yards and 127 catches over the past two seasons, emerging as a consistent target for Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins would like to keep Clay, but clearly they have a certain price in mind and that is why they used the transition tag. The Bills released Scott Chandler and that could mean they are moving towards locking in a deal with Clay. ESPN.com reports that Clay visited with the Bills and met with head coach Rex Ryan.
The Dolphins will have a seven day window to match any deal for Clay, but if the Browns or Bills go too high, they likely will let him go. The Browns have Jordan Cameron hitting free agency and he could be an option for the Dolphins if Clay leaves. The Browns do not appear as if they will bring back Cameron and they will need to find a replacement for him for 2015. Scott Chandler was just released by the Bills and with all three of these names involved, the Dolphins, Browns and Buffalo could all circle TEs this offseason.
In other news, the team has added back Thad Lewis to the quarterback mix with Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown. The team also lost linebacker Jabaal Sheard to a two year deal with the Patriots and that will be worth $11 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
