Cleveland Browns Shopping List

Today the NFL starts free agency. The Cleveland Browns said they won't be active but that doesn't mean we can't speculate. Here are the positions of need and who could fill them.

QB:

Chad Henne, Miami – Only 26 but seems like he has been around forever. Picking up a veteran will (1) provide competition for Colt McCoy in training camp and (2) remove the pressure of having to get a QB in the NFL Draft. I'm not sold on Green Bay's Matt Flynn he's the same age as Henne but will command way too much money this off-season. He has only started two games in his career. He can't play against Detroit's secondary every week.

RB:

Cedric Benson, Cincinnati – Getting up there in age but in the right backfield, can still average 4/carry. If Browns let Peyton Hillis get away, Benson can step right in.

Mike Tolbert, San Diego – Can play RB and FB. If the Browns re-sign Hillis, a Tolbert/Hillis backfield could be a load for teams to handle. You can't count on Montario Hardesty and Chris Ogbonnaya is strictly a back-up.

WR:

Pierre Garcon, Indianapolis – Only 25, played college at Mount Union. A lot of WR in free agency and this guy would bring the most value (production, salary, ego).

Robert Meachem, New Orleans – Speed receiver who can take a DB away from the middle of the field so Greg Little and Benjamin Watson will have more room to work. At 6'2", 210 pounds, the 27-year old Meachem would provide a big target for whoever plays quarterback.

OT:

Jared Gaither, San Diego – Picking up a free agent tackle will replace the soon-to-be-released Tony Pashos who has the ugliest foot in football.

OG:

Ben Grubbs, Baltimore – If Eric Steinbach retires or is a salary cap casualty, Grubbs is the best replacement on the market. Weakening a division rival is a plus.

DE:

Mario Williams, Houston – Imagine a DL with Jabaal Sheard, Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor and Williams. We can dream, can't we?

Jarret Johnson, Baltimore – Will probably be let go because of salary cap. Bone crushing hit Pittsburgh's Hines Ward should make him a very popular Brown.

John Abraham, Atlanta – Will be 34 but has shown no signs of slowing down. Put him down for 10 sacks.

DT:

Brodrick Bunkley, Denver – Adding a run stuffer in the middle will allow Rubin and Taylor to get more rest and stay fresher.

LB:

The Browns need help at this position but no one on the market is very attractive. Re-signing D'Qwell Jackson was Cleveland's top priority this off-season.

CB:

Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee – Can cover on the outside and the slot. This will allow Sheldon Brown to move inside or to Safety.

Brandon Carr, Kansas City – Three years younger than Finnegan and not as feisty. Just a solid player.

S:

Abram Elam, Dallas – If TJ Ward isn't healthy and/or Mike Adams leaves via free agency, this is a position of need. Elam played for Cleveland from 2009-2010 and a solid 2011. Good leader.