Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – The first day of free agency, excuse us, ‘legal tampering,’ was a quiet one for the Browns.
As in no deals were struck.
But that doesn’t mean that general manager John Dorsey wasn’t manning the phones, making offers or plotting when to strike.
Or sitting back and laughing at the silly money that got spent Monday.
At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis Dorsey promised to be “prudent” in free agency, and it appears that he’s a man of his word.
Unlike a year ago, Dorsey, who is armed with an estimated $71 million in salary cap room, doesn’t have a roster to gut and half of the starting 22 to replace. It is yet another reminder of how far Dorsey has brought the roster in just such a short amount of time.
Instead he’s able to fill select holes and he doesn’t have to overpay to do it. With most mega free agent contracts, the teams that hand them out often regret them and Dorsey clearly doesn’t want to position himself or the Browns to regret anything.
Following the release of linebacker Jamie Collins, Dorsey has a hole to fill in the starting lineup, but a few big names are or could be off the board soon.
Linebacker Anthony Barr plans to sign with the Jets according to multiple reports and Kwon Alexander is bolting the Buccaneers for the 49ers and a four-year, $54 million deal with $27 million guaranteed.
C.J. Mosley, thought to be a top target of Dorsey and the Browns, might be staying with the Ravens. According to multiple reports Mosley is willing to stay in Baltimore for less money and would require a massive contract to leave. The New York Jets are also vying for Mosley.
Dorsey’s desire to extend safety Damarious Randall’s contract potentially got more complicated with the truckloads of cash that were thrown at safeties on Monday.
According to multiple reports, Washington gave six years and $84 million – $45 million guaranteed – to Landon Collins, Kansas City threw three years and $42 million at Tyrann Mathieu to bolster their 30th ranked defense while Kenny Vaccaro got four years and $26 million from the Titans.
The Browns have been tied to Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, a former Ohio State standout as well Chargers receiver Tyrell Williams.
Cornerback Kevin Johnson, who visited the Browns last week, will reportedly sign with Buffalo.
Following the release of veteran tight end Darren Fells, the Browns are in the market for a replacement. Jesse James is about to be a former Steeler after reportedly agreeing to sign with the Lions and Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft came to terms with the Bills.
Deals can’t be executed until the new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. eastern.
Dorsey already filled one need by agreeing to acquire defensive end Olivier Vernon from the New York Giants for right guard Kevin Zeitler. The teams also swapped draft picks – the Browns give up a fifth rounder for a fourth-round selection – in the trade.
It should also be noted that in February Dorsey added troubled running back Kareem Hunt, who faces league discipline in the wake of multiple investigations into his off-field behavior including being caught on video kicking a woman during an altercation.
So while no one new was added on Monday, Dorsey already started the day ahead of the game and he's definitely not done.
