The Cleveland Browns have Johnny Manziel back after his rehab stint and this offseason the team could consider a trade for Mike Glennon if the Buccaneers take Jameis Winston in the draft and this comes as Marcus Mariota and Bryce Petty are potential targets at quarterback for the franchise.
The Browns have Josh McCown as the likely starter heading into the offseason program, but there has been talk that the team could move up to get Mariota. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com has reported on the interest and she writes that Ray Farmer and the team are "serious" about their interest in moving up for Mariota. According to Pro Football Talk, Mariota is getting attention from numerous teams, including the Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets and Browns.
Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.com wrote earlier this offseason that the Browns "sniffed around" on Glennon and he could be a target if the team misses out on Mariota. With Manziel's future uncertain, the Browns may consider moving up for Mariota or taking a player like Brett Hundley or Bryce Petty in the draft to develop behind McCown. Petty is looked at as the third-rated quarterback for most scouts behind Jameis Winston and Mariota, while Hundley also could be in the mix as one of the first QBs taken.
The Browns have a need at the position even after taking Manziel last year and they could consider a trade for Glennon or Kirk Cousins if they miss on Mariota or Petty. The team also may consider some other offensive options, including a wide receiver or a tight end. The team signed Rob Housler, but a player like Maxx Williams could be a fit, while DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong and Breshad Perriman also could be targets at receiver with Josh Gordon facing suspension.
The Browns came into the offseason with a ton of cap space and they targeted names like Julius Thomas and Jeremy Maclin, but they did not get any "big" free agents. The team signed Rob Housler after losing Jordan Cameron and they are hoping he can come in to be a productive tight end.
The Browns had over $40 million in cap space to start the offseason and with the way last year ended, the team was looking to turn things optimistic heading into the draft. The team let Jordan Cameron go after an injury plagued season and that could lead the team to look at Williams as a potential draft target. Cameron looked like he was ready to be a breakout star after making 80 catches for over 900 yards in 2013, but he played in just 10 games and had 24 catches in 2014.
Julius Thomas was one of the main targets, but he signed with the Jaguars after he was not willing to give the Broncos a "hometown discount" in 2015. Thomas missed three games this past season and finished with just 43 catches for 489 yards, but he ended up with 12 touchdowns for the second straight year. Thomas set career highs in 2013 with Peyton Manning, catching 65 balls for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. Jermaine Gresham is another player to watch at the position for the Browns even after they signed Housler, but he is coming off of back surgery and could wait to sign.
