T.J. Lang: 5 best fits in NFL free agency
By John Buhler
Cleveland Browns
AFC, North
The Cleveland Browns are a bad football team, but will have a ton of ways to get better this offseason. They have 13 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft, including the No. 1 and No. 12 overall picks.
Cleveland has more cap space than any team in football, with a projected $108,766,997 for general manager Sashi Brown to work with. Head coach Hue Jackson and his staff got a first-hand look at some of the best prospects entering the draft via coaching the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Despite going 1-15 the year before, things are strangely looking up for the Browns heading into next season. Of course, the Browns have an absurd way to go to get out of the cellar in the AFC. Brown will have to pay a premium to land any viable free agent this offseason.
Lang will likely be the most expensive offensive lineman to hit free agency this summer. The Packers could franchise tag him, but it would cost them a projected $14.4 million to use it on Lang. Green Bay could certainly retain him, but nearly $15 million for a guard that is about to be 30 is way too much.
While the Browns will not have to break the bank to sign a player the caliber of Lang, they might have to seriously consider giving him eight figures if they want him to sign with Cleveland. Eight figures for an interior offensive lineman was unheard of until Alex Mack got $10 million annually to leave Cleveland to play in the Super Bowl for the Falcons. Lang is a prime candidate to get overpaid this spring.