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Browns free agency 2019: Which of their own free agents should they keep?
By Scott Patsko, cleveland.com |

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns go into the offseason with fewer needs than the last few years. That's the result of good drafting and productive trades and free agency signings.

Another positive is that the team's free agents do not include many core players. Only one Brown headed for free agency was a starter the entire 2018 season. Another became a starter midway through. Of the rest, only two played more than 40 percent of the snaps on offense or defense.

Here's a closer look at the free agents the Browns will have to sign to contract extensions or let go this offseason.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

UFA: Unless they sign contract extensions with the Browns, these players can sign with any team once the free agency period begins March 13.


Ray-Ray Armstrong, LB

Armstrong, a seven-year veteran, signed with the Browns on Oct. 25 (Week 8) and got 26 snaps on defense and 139 on special teams. He had six tackles in nine games.

Orson Charles, TE/FB

Charles, who has played for five teams over six years, got 173 snaps on offense this season before a season-ending ankle injury in Week 13. He had three catches for 23 yards, but was often used as a blocker in the backfield.

Carl Davis, DT

Davis was used little this season, totaling just 31 defensive snaps in five games. He's a former third-round pick of the Ravens (2015).



Browns defensive back E.J. Gaines.

A free-agent singing last offseason, Gaines was a reserve defensive back before injuries pushed him into starting roles in Weeks 5 and 6. Multiple concussions ended his season after Week 9.

Gaines, who has been with three teams in four seasons, played 181 snaps on defense and had 13 tackles and one interception.

Kyle Kalis, OL

Kalis, a St. Edward grad, was signed to the Browns' practice squad on Sept. 3 and elevated to the active roster on Dec. 1 (Week 13), but did not play.

Breshad Perriman, WR

Perriman signed with the Browns on Oct. 13 (Week 6) and made multiple big plays in the final weeks of the season. The former first-round pick of the Ravens (2015) finished with 16 catches for 340 yards and two touchdowns while emerging as a deep threat.


Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson

Robinson was a free agent signing last offseason and lost out on the starting left tackle spot in training camp. But the former No. 2 overall pick of the Rams (2014) started the final eight games, coinciding with Gregg Williams taking over as interim head coach.

Rod Streater, WR

Streater was signed Sept. 17 (Week 3) after the Browns traded Josh Gordon. He saw just 23 snaps on offense before a broken neck ended his season. He wasn't targeted in the passing game, but had one carry for minus-11 yards.


Tyrod Taylor, QB

Tylor, signed last offseason to assume the starting quarterback role, made it through the first two-and-a-half games before suffering a concussion and opening the door for Baker Mayfield. He finished 42-of-85 for 473 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and a passer rating of 64.5.

Earl Watford, G

Watford, signed by the Browns last offseason, was a seldom-used reserve lineman in 2018, totaling six snaps on offense.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

ERFA: The Browns must make a contract offer by March 13 or these players become unrestricted free agents.


Trevon Coley, DT

Coley, an undrafted free agent signing in 2017, started 29 of 31 games over the last two seasons. He had 39 tackles (four for loss) and half a sack in 2018.

Jermaine Whitehead, DB

Whitehead was claimed off waivers on Nov. 7 (Week 10) and played in the final seven games, getting six snaps on defense and 92 on special teams. He had four tackles.


RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

RFA: These players can sign an offer sheet with any team once the free agency period begins, and the Browns have seven days to match.


Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DB

Boddy-Calhoun, a preseason waiver claim by the Browns in 2016, was out of the rotation early in the season and spent time between slot and safety. He played 656 snaps on defense and another 250 on special teams. His 56 tackles were sixth-most on the team.

Juston Burris, DB

Burris was signed off the Jets' practice squad on Nov. 7 (Week 10) and played in the last four games, all on special teams. He was a fourth-round pick of the Jets in 2016.


Rashard Higgins, WR

Higgins was a fifth-round pick in 2016 before being cut in 2017 and working his way back up from the practice squad. In 2018 his 39 catches were third-most among Browns receivers. He also had four touchdowns.


https://www.cleveland.com/expo/sports/g6...ncart_big-photo

I would like to keep Robinson, Higgins, Body-Caljoun. What does everyone else thinK ?

Perriman needs the opportunity to come back and grow.

Perriman, Robinson, Boddy-Calhoun, and Higgins.

UDFA: Need to bring back Perriman and Robinson.

Perriman, Robinson, Coley, Calhoun, Higgins.

Agree on that list from Peen

I'd add Orson Charles honestly too

This is my list as well.

My Wish List to bring back:

Breshad Perriman, WR

Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson (I think Greg is a must IMO. He really stepped up and was one of the teams best finds IMO)

Browns defensive back E.J. Gaines. - We have to have and keep depth at CB

Trevon Coley, DT - I believe he will be good piece for depth

Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DB - I love BBC. I think he is very underrated

Rashard Higgins, WR - I mean, HOLLLLLLYYYYYWWWOOOOOOOOOOD

My suggestions would be:

Breshad Perriman- My only concern is that other teams have seen his resurgence too. I'm not saying he deserves a big contract, because he doesn't, but a team might outbid us for his services.

Greg Robinson- Insert same comment for Perriman here.

Trevon Coley- It would be nice if we can upgrade on him as a starter but I like him as depth.

Briean Boddy-Calhoun I like his play as depth in the secondary and on special teams. I think he could be the type of player we use if we'd like to load the defense with fast, hard hitting secondary players to combat QBs like Lamar Jackson.

Juston Burris- I feel like Burris might have been one of the few ST players that stood out on kick-offs/put returns but maybe I'm thinking of someone else.

Rashard Higgins- Because he is good. This would be the player I would offer a significant extension to. Not #1 WR money, of course, but something for a mid-tier WR.

I'm guessing Dorsey will try and bring back EJ Gaines because he signed him and we didn't get to see him play.

I get what you are saying, but that is the old line of Browns thinking.

We have a ton of cap space, Roster that is VERY PROMISING, and Baker. We have are a destination guys will start to think about taking a PAY CUT to stay and play.

We took a flyer on Greg and Perriman, that means something sometimes to guys. Probably if I had to guess more to Robinson that Perriman, simply because OL have a different mindset IT SEEMS than WR do.

But I would say we would be their first choice to play.

You're right, this is true. And I believe the "Baker factor" is a big piece. And we've seen Dorsey doesn't mind overpaying players.

EJ Gains. I know he is oft injured but I thought he played well when he was healthy.

Perriman. I think he earned a position on this roster with his play. He has great measurables to go with the hard work he put in.

Greg Robinson. He played really well down the stretch. He can hold down the left tackle spot until his backup can prove if he can or cannot take that spot.

Higgins Hollywood is generally sure handed. I would sign him if a better option isn’t available.

Coley I would sign him as depth only.

May I ask you to forward this to my wife

Priority

Higgins
Perriman
Robinson

Secondary

Boddy-Calhoun
Charles
Coley

Agreed with 2 caveats;

1) We talk about needing to upgrade at DT, meaning we need better than who's there now to take the next step. Since we don't mean Big Larry, that means Coley is who we have to improve on. We draft/sign a couple of DT's, Coley is completely expendable.

2) BBC brings passion and energy. He sometimes makes big plays and we all love that. But he also commits penalties. It's a double edged sword with BBC. The question is, do his good plays outweigh his bad?

Perriman, Charles, Robinson, Calhoun and Higgins are guys I would try to keep.

W8,

I agree. Keeping Coley would be entirely dependent upon him. If he thinks he can get some good $ elsewhere, I say have at it. If he's happy to be here, and will sign cheap, fine.

Feel the same about Boddy-Calhoun, although to a lesser extent. I think he is going to get offers, and I'm not offering a ton for him to stay. He's worth something, but I'm not sure its as much as his agent will tell him.

j/c:

I think it could also be worth noting, as it relates to this upcoming off-season signings in general, but who is worth extending now to risk free agency in 2020. But maybe that is another thread, altogether.

Robinson, Higgins, Calhoun and Perryman

--URFAs'

Robinson, Perriman and Gains

--RFAs'

I would like to see us sign Hollywood to an extended contract 3-4 years.

--ERFAs'

Coley

Perriman, Robinson, Coley, Calhoun, Higgins.

Gotta Keep a St Ed's grad too. Kalis. I bet you he is really smart, a hard worker, and good looking... like all St. Ed's graduates.

I like yours, and I would add Perriman. Might consider TT seriously (Stanton is still under contract, I believe). Him or someone like him. Foles?

A chance to draft impact players with continuity at QB. Christmas came late.

Thanks, Mr. D.!

I highly doubt foles is going to take a backup role anywhere, nor should he.

Perriman, Robinson, Boddy-Calhoun, Higgins, and Charles

I do not see Foles as someone like TT.

I forgot TT. I would put him in my higher priority tier, given he has interest in staying. I just can't see Stanton as the backup given his initial talent level and age

I'd like TT as well, but the thing about a back-up QB is that they have to be satisfied with being a back-up.

That doesn't mean they don't want to be a starter. It simply means they have come to terms with were they are at this stage in their career.

Some guys can come to terms, some can't. I am not sure that TT has.

If he doesn't get much interest in FA, maybe he will come to terms.

j/c:

I hope we can keep TT. I think he would do better in Freddie's offense as opposed to Haley's.

I do realize he wants to start, but Foles, Flacco, Teddy, Bradford, and maybe even Fitz and Keenum will/might be available. Also, Haskins is going to be drafted very, very high. Not the best year to be a FA qb.

Absolutely! If we can pull off keeping him I think he'll be one of the best back-ups in the league. I'm not sure if Haley was submarine-ing the offense, but I know TT is better than he looked.

PEEN...

Agreed that the issue with Tyrod will be whether he can accept reality. With all the guys ahead of him, as VERS said, he's done as a perceived starter.

If I'm TT's agent, my action items are:

1. Find out whether Jax will be looking for a 1 year starter to start ahead of a 1st round QB, or if they'll be rolling with a Flacco/Foles/Bridgewater.

2. Explore a return to Baltimore. With Flacco out and the potential for Jackson to look more like the playoff version than the regular season version, that may be a good chance to start. Depends on how much they like RG3 as backup.

3. Work on terms with the Browns to lock up a high level backup contract.

J/C

Guys I would love to keep:

Perriman - He really came in to his own with Mayfield throwing darts. It can be easy to forget this young man was a first round pick only a few years ago, and I feel like confidence may have been his downfall. He got off to a very rocky start in Baltimore, and never found his footing between injury and some tough performances when healthy. He's only 25 years old, entering his prime, and would still be a relatively cheap signing.

Higgins - another cheap signing, he emerged as a favourite target for Mayfield early during their dominance on the second team. That continued into the regular season. Higgins quietly posted 39 receptions for 572 yards and 4 touchdowns, and did so on just 53 targets. All career-high totals by approaching-double. He showed improvement as the season wore on, and emerged as a guy Baker could count on when he was in trouble. Hollywood won't ever be a pro-bowl receiver, but he is a dependable and trusted target of our quarterback who flashed high-level production on a low target count. Another cheap signing.

Robinson - Robinson is weird. He went from mega-bust to nicely filling JT's shoes. He isn't perfect, but he performed admirable. His signing, in my eyes, will depend on his contract. I don't think he's yet worthy of starting LT type money, but he's certainly worth throwing some cash at to compete with Desmond Harrison: I hope people haven't forgotten Harrison, he started off red-hot but he wasn't quite ready for the NFL. His ascension throughout camp to earn the starting nod was impressive, however, so coming back for his second year might produce real improvement.

Charles - Awesome locker room guy. Baker's psycho. He's a sturdy blocker, but I think a locker room presence like Charles is woefully underrated. He'll hardly cost anything, but he'll be worth every penny until proven expendable.

BBC - His development was a little disappointing, if I'm honest. For a moment, it looked like he might develop into a starting corner. His play declined and he flashed in the slot but had clear issues. He is, however, valuable depth as he is versatile to play CB, SCB and S.

I think if TT wants to be here, we keep him. He is a pro, and handled being second fiddle with class (we didn't hear a peep about him complaining about it).

I keep hearing people say we should sign Flacco or Foles - no way those guys are going to be back ups wherever they go. lol

Why would Flacco leave BALT because he was benched for a rookie, to go to another team to be a backup. Sheesh.

is Higgins a FA? I wouldn't think yet

I agree. If TT wants to stay here and is good with being paid back-up money, sign him up.

What I like about TT is he can win with his legs. I am not comfortable with back-up's who try to sit back there and scan the field for very long. Make a read, roll out, see if something opens, if not, run and gain 4-5 yards or throw it away.

Do it again.

If im the Giants I go hard after Flacco.

Ive not heard anyone say we should sign Foles or Flacco to back up baker, however.

The Eagles won the Super Bowl in Wentz's 2nd season after going 7-9 in his rookie year. Maybe we can convince Tyrod to stay as Mayfield's back-up in case history repeats itself. Id have more confidence in Tyrod winning games than Drew.

Or Nick Foles.

Foles is trying to convince the Eagles to trade Wentz.

In New York, I don't have a lot of faith in Shurmur. Odds are they finish 5-11 next year regardless of what they do.

If I was an Eagles fan, I would rather trade Wentz than Foles. No doubt.

He is an RFA. He was originally signed to a 4 year rookie deal, but was cut in 2017, signed to the practice squad, then re-signed to the active roster on a 2 year deal.

I suspect that he'll be back in Cleveland next year.