The Browns added former Pro Bowl WR Miles Austin to help a receiving corps that may soon be without All-Pro Josh Gordon.
Johnny Manziel or Brian Hoyer will need plenty of weapons to thrive in the new Browns system, which added OC Kyle Shanahan. The Browns used the free agency period to give a much needed boost to a receiving corps that will be without All-Pro receiver Josh Gordon for an extended period of time.
Players added:
Miles Austin – WR, Earl Bennett – WR, Nate Burleson – WR, Karlos Dansby – LB, Andrew Hawkins – WR, Ben Tate – RB, Donte Whitner – S
A look at each player:
Bennett is a WR/FB who recorded 4 TDs in only three starts for the Bears in 2013. He will try to compete for a starting role.
Austin is a former Pro Bowl receiver for the Cowboys who has struggled with injuries in the past three seasons. He will compete with Bennett to start immediately.
Burleson is a solid No. 2 WR who struggled to stay healthy in Detroit but will likely get a starting job in Cleveland.
Hawkins is an ex-Bengal who recorded 4 TDs as a backup in 2012. He will try to land a starting job but may just be used for depth.
Dansby is a playmaking LB who led the league with 2 INT-TDs in 2013 and added 6.5 sacks with the Cardinals last. He will take over for D’Qwell Jackson, who signed with Indianapolis.
Tate is a former Texans RB with a career rushing average of 4.7 yards/carry and just under 2000 yards as a 3-year backup. He will be the immediate starter at RB.
Whitner is a versatile safety who can cover and tackle well in the secondary. He will be an immediate starter after the team let TJ Ward walk.
Grade: A-
The Browns added six solid starters to a roster that already had quite a bit of talent. The combined efforts of their offensive pickups should give the team enough veteran talent to make up for the inevitable absence of Josh Gordon. And if they can do that, this Browns team can go a long way
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