2016 NFL free agency: 5 teams who should sign Marques Colston
The Browns will probably be spending the No. 2 overall pick on the quarterback position, whether it be Jared Goff of Carson Wentz, and will need to help that young signal-caller by adding some more talent on the offensive side. For a team that probably won’t be contending anyway, a one or two-year deal could provide some value for Cleveland.
Much of Cleveland’s production in the passing game came from the duo of tight end Gary Barnidge and wide receiver Travis Benjamin (a free agent), who both came out of nowhere to combine for just shy of 2,000 yards. Beyond that, Cleveland’s top two receivers were Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins, and Benjamin seems likely to leave in free agency after early negations broke down.
While Colston wouldn’t make that veteran group any younger, he is a definite upgrade to the depth chart as it currently stands. Colston could work well as a sort of stopgap while the Browns wait and see what’s going on with Josh Gordon, or develop the receiver they will likely take in the second or third round.
Throwing Goff or Wentz into a starting role with Barnidge and second-year running back Duke Johnson as the best playmakers around them doesn’t seem like a good idea, so Colston could provide some value for Cleveland. If the Browns don’t at least add some depth, their offense will be in big trouble in 2016.
The Browns could afford someone more expensive with around $42 million in cap space, but likely won’t give out any extended contracts as they rebuild and usher another young quarterback in.
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