Cleveland Browns: Signing Alshon Jeffery Would Be Smart

The Cleveland Browns need wide receivers, and one player who could help fill that need is Chicago Bears’ Alshon Jeffery.

Once the 2015 NFL season ended for the Cleveland Browns and the rebuilding began, a new approach also kicked in.

Now that the focus has shifted to building through the draft, the organization must understand free agency is still very important. That is where Jeffery comes into the picture. The Browns will not be able to fill all of their needs in the draft.

The second overall selection needs to be a quarterback and it is in unknown who will be available with their second round pick. Both Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas will be long gone by the time Cleveland picks for the second time.

Of course it would be great to have either of those players or someone similar, but talented wide receivers can be found after the first round. Regardless, Cleveland is going to need to draft more than one wide receiver.

In order for the Browns to have any chance of even being in the Jeffery sweepstakes, the Bears will need to let him test free agency and his analytics must be worth the investment. The money Jeffery will be seeking cannot be outrageous too, which should not be a problem. Jeffery’s base salary was less than $1 million this season.

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The injuries he endured this season could make some fans and football operations personnel hesitant. That is very understandable, but look back at his previous two seasons.

In 2013, Jeffery caught 89 passes for 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2014, he had 85 receptions for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns. During those two seasons, Jeffery played in every game. What is even more impressive is that he had to put up great statistics while sharing targets with running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

The Cleveland Browns organization needed some positive energy. With new head coach Hue Jackson in place, it seems as if they now have it. Confidence is building in what Jackson could do for team. Jeffery could be what Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green was in Jackson’s offense.

Any added help to the position would be great and hopefully at least one of those additions comes before the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Should Jeffery make it onto the free agent market, assuming the analytics part works out, the Cleveland Browns would be very smart signing him.

Just imagine running backs Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell being the Cincinnati version of Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill. They, along with Jeffery, tight end Gary Barnidge, another new wide receiver, and a top drafted quarterback would be an entertaining Cleveland Browns offense!

The Cleveland Browns will have many options going forward in how they want to rebuild. Now the exciting part is here.

Next: One Team Would Have Interest In Manziel

Are the Browns going to play their cards right and get the players they need?

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