NFL Rumors: Browns still don’t plan to franchise tag WR Terrelle Pryor

When the offseason began, the Cleveland Browns initially planned not to franchise tag wide receiver Terrelle Pryor. As the deadline approaches this week, nothing has changed.

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns still don’t plan to franchise tag the college quarterback turned wideout, Terrelle Pryor. The deadline to place tags on players is March 1. Failing to do so will make Pryor a free agent on March 9.

The main reason the Browns are aiming to avoid the franchise tag with their 2016 top receiver is because the tag would make him one of the top-five paid receivers in the NFL. He would receive upwards of $15 million for 2017; Pryor was good in 2016, but not that good.

Despite not willing to fork over that much dough, Cleveland has every intention of signing him before free agency begins. Browns executive Vice President Sashi Brown said signing Pryor and linebacker Jamie Collins were his top priorities this offseason, and Collins is already locked up to a long-term deal.

Pryor shocked everyone by becoming Cleveland’s top receiver and recording 1,007 receiving yards in 2016. He caught 77 passes, averaging 13.1 yards per catch, and four touchdowns. He also had a rushing score.

This past season was his fifth in the NFL, but just his first full one at wide receiver. To do that well after switching positions is quite amazing, and Pryor should only continue to do better as he gains more experience at the position. That will likely be taken into account at the negotiating table. Pryor will turn 28 in June.

Cleveland made another move at receiver Monday, releasing soon-to-be 31-year-old Andrew Hawkins. That means the Browns will be dangerously thin at receiver if they somehow don’t bring back Pryor. The only other notable receivers on Cleveland’s roster are last season’s rookies – Corey Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins – and the often-suspended Josh Gordon.

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Look for the Browns to continue to add weapons in the draft, but working out a deal with Pryor is a near-must at this point.