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10 NFL teams who could change their fortunes via Free Agency

By Andrew Garda

Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh takes in the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (29) at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals beat the Browns 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (29) at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals beat the Browns 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Cleveland Browns

Overview: Last season, the Cleveland Browns chose to fiddle while Rome burned. They knew Josh Gordon would be suspended for at least a portion of the season and didn’t do much to prepare for it. Or rather what they did really didn’t seem to make much sense to other people. So now we’re back in the thick of things again, with the Browns short a premiere receiver, with their top tight end Jordan Cameron thinking of leaving per CBSSports’s Jason LaCanfora.

On top of that, the Browns are struggling at quarterback, with Johnny Manziel in rehab and the answer being recently signed Josh McCown. Still, $53,138,896 and just over $1.1 million in dead cap space give this team a ton of leeway.

Pros: The Browns already have a pretty solid defense, even if it could be a bit more consistent. So they can focus on the offensive side of the ball if they choose. While there are few No. 1 receiver options, there are plenty of dynamic No. 2s, including Randall Cobb, who should be high on their list of people to go for. And Jeremy Maclin should be within reach very easily for a team with this much cap space.

They should look at offensive line help—things went south too swiftly when Alex Mack went down. They need depth.

Cons: That quarterback issue will loom large offensively this year. I am not convinced that Josh McCown’s last season as a Chicago Bear was anything more than an aberration. I’m not sold on Brian Hoyer, if he even comes back. Johnny Manziel or Connor Shaw could take a big steps forward, assuming Manziel can get his head together.

There’s no real cure for the quarterback position in free agency and that’s an issue. As that’s the case, how much better can this team be?

Next: San Diego Chargers

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