Cleveland Browns: How Could Free Agents Be Replaced?

There are multiple key free agents that could leave the Cleveland Browns this offseason. If they chose to leave, how does the team replace them?

The Factory of Sadness team recently covered the key players that the Cleveland Browns should retain for 2016.

Lets assume for a moment that the guys that are under contract for 2016, Joe Thomas and Josh Gordon, are not an issue. It is a big leap of faith to assume both players will be on the field at First Energy Stadium next season, but at least they are under contract and cannot necessarily bolt on their own.

However, players like Alex Mack, Mitchell Schwartz, and Tashaun Gipson could absolutely find new teams if the Browns cannot come to terms with the trio. But how can new head coach Hue Jackson and a yet to be hired personnel chief fill those voids? Each position has plenty of veteran free agents that could help the Cleveland Browns on the field in 2016.

Mack’s contract gives him an out if he so chooses. The Cleveland Browns front office’s hands were tied since it was tossed into Mack’s offer sheet from the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Mack leaves, there are no real difference-makers at center and that includes Cameron Erving. His performance this season as a rookie was so awful that it is scary to think that he could start at guard, center, or tackle in a nightmare scenario.

Jacksonville center Stefen Wisniewski is the best of the bunch. He spent last season protecting Blake Bortles and was a very solid player along the offensive line. Keep in mind that the Jaguars offense made huge strides in 2015 behind Bortles’ career year.

Schwartz was a darling of the analytics crowd, emerging as one of the highest rated right tackles in football last season. Cleveland Browns fans may find that hard to believe, but Schwartz did have a great year and is a plug and play type at right tackle.

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There may be a team out there that see him as a key part of what gets them over the hump, so teams such as the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, or the Carolina Panthers could make a run at him to stabilize their injury riddled lines. If that happens, there are at least a lot of options at the tackle spot on the market.

Familiar names like Mike Adams (Pittsburgh Steelers), Jake Long (Atlanta Falcons), and Chris Hairston (San Diego Chargers) are free agents. In addition to those players, there are also two other names that jump out: Russell Okung (Seahawks) and Andre Smith (Cincinnati Bengals).

Okung is a left tackle by trade, but with so many defensive players in need of new contracts in Seattle, could they let Okung walk? That is a very real possibility and if he passes a physical, there are worse options at right tackle.

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As for Smith, it is unlikely they let him out of Cincinnati, but his familiarity with Jackson and a bevy of linemen drafted this past May have set up the Bengals to let Smith seek an overpaid contract elsewhere. He would easily be an upgrade over Schwartz and give Jackson and the Cleveland Browns a trusted player on the offensive line.

Another name to think about for the Cleveland Browns is San Francisco 49ers’ Alex Boone. Though he lines up at guard, he is 6’8 and has experience at tackle. He may want to escape the 49ers and return to his hometown team.

Gipson is the most likely to leave. Safeties that have as many interceptions as he does are hard to find and tend to be well paid. Luckily for the Browns, there is a very experienced safety on the market that has already made it clear he will not go back to his current team.

Longtime Chargers safety Eric Weddle made his goodbyes very public and would be a major get for the Cleveland Browns. Sure, he will be very costly, but the Browns have been very diligent about the salary cap and will again have plenty of money to make necessary moves.

The cost for a player like Weddle should not slow the Browns in trying to possibly replace Gipson.

Next: What Is Left On Hue Jackson's Shopping List?

Bengals safety

could be a backup plan, especially since he has spent his last six seasons in Cincinnati and could be someone Jackson convinces to make the drive up I-71.