QBs:
Johnny Manziel (2016 Cap Hit: $2.250M; 2016 Dead Cap: $4.624M) – *Cut** –* There is no possible way that Johnny Manziel remains on the roster once the Browns are actually able to cut him. I absolutely believe that they should offer resources to him and try to help him get his life in order, but he doesn’t have to be on the roster in order to do so.
Josh McCown (2016 Cap Hit: $5.042M; 2016 Dead Cap: $2.333M) – *Keep** –* Only QB on the roster I want to hang on to. At worst, he’s a valuable on-field mentor who can teach the next young guy. At best, he’s a bridge QB who can hold the fort until you acquire said young guy. Either way, he’s worth keeping, especially considering what’s out there.
Austin Davis (2016 Cap Hit: $1.767M; 2016 Dead Cap: $433K) – *Cut** –* Something I fully expected was Austin Davis to show he’s not a good QB. He didn’t disappoint me. He can be cut with very little loss, regardless of his new contract.
Connor Shaw (2016 Cap Hit: $450K; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Cut** –* Keep him around until camp, but he’s basically Austin Davis but with less of an arm and more of an injury risk.
Pat Devlin (2016 Cap Hit: ?; 2016 Dead Cap: ?) - *Walk** -* Late season arm added for injury. Has no NFL future, and as a result, should have no future on our team.
RBs:
Isaiah Crowell (2016 Cap Hit: $603K; 2016 Dead Cap: $3K) – *Keep** –* As infuriating as Crowell is at times, he does have some talent. I don’t necessarily think he’s true starting material, but his contract is incredible for what production he does bring. Much better than anyone else you can sign for that money. At worst, he’s your starting RB again. At best, he’s your third string RB. He’s a value either way.
Duke Johnson (2016 Cap Hit: $733K; 2016 Dead Cap: $533K) – *Keep** –* Kind of the same deal as Crowell, only that Duke has shown he can be a very dangerous weapon. Probably just more of a change of pace back in a Darren Sproles type of role, he could probably be dangerous if Cleveland gets a true power back. Plus, he’s got a decent contract. I can see Hue utilizing him in a role very similar to Giovani Bernard.
Glenn Winston (2016 Cap Hit: $600K; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Cut** –* He had probably the most Browns-esque performance last year. His only game represented the 2015 Browns – fumbled and concussed.
Raheem Mostert (2016 Cap Hit: ?; 2016 Dead Cap: ?) – *Walk** –* A late year signing for depth, there’s really no reason he should be signed back.
Malcolm Johnson (2016 Cap Hit: $555K; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Cut** –* I fully expect Hue to try and pursue and blocking fullback in order to help out our power run game. While many have tried to claim that Johnson is Cleveland’s Marcel Reece, the fact is that Reece can run the ball, block, and catch. Johnson can’t really do any of those things.
WRs:
Travis Benjamin (2016 Cap Hit: ?; 2016 Dead Cap: ?) – *Keep** –* This is going to be one of those situations where a guy gets resigned and gets slightly overpaid as a result of a stellar year. Rabbit’s year (68-124 for 988 yards and 5 TDs) fell short of stellar, but it was by far the best season he has had. He’s not Josh Gordon, but Cleveland can’t allow another talented player to leave. He’ll probably be overpaid, but Cleveland already has a complete dearth of high end talent – and while Benjamin may not ever be counted as one of the best, he’s still a solid receiver and is one of the best deep threats in the game. They need to keep him.
Brian Hartline (2016 Cap Hit: $3.750M; 2016 Dead Cap: $750K) – *Keep** –* Around week seven of the season, this would have been a cut, as Harltine was deplorable to start the season. However, he turned it on around the start of November, and ended his season on a high note prior to injury. This again comes down more to making more holes on the team than you need to. While Hartline is more of a number four wideout, he still can catch, which is more than some previous Browns wideouts can say.
Andrew Hawkins (2016 Cap Hit: $1.000M; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Keep** –* Yet another case of not making more holes, Hawk’s contract from here on out allows him to be cut whenever without accruing dead money. Hawk clearly regressed more towards the norm after a very good 2014, but he’s still a decent slot receiver with good hands. But that’s about it.
Dwayne Bowe (2016 Cap Hit: $8.000M; 2016 Dead Cap: $4.600M) – *Cut** –* This, for me, comes down to money. I truly think that Bowe was misused last year, and fell into Pettine’s doghouse and was never allowed out as Bowe was a symbol of the power struggle between Pettine and Farmer. I still think that Bowe can be a decent height threat in the redzone. Thing is…I’m not paying eight million for a redzone guy. If he were to restructure his deal, that’s one way he could stick, but for right now…
Taylor Gabriel (2016 Cap Hit: $600K; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Cut** –* A small speedy guy with questionable hands and decent route running ability. The reason Hawkins is a decent receiver is because his hands and route running ability are very good. Can’t say the same for Gabriel. He’s expendable.
Marlon Moore (2016 Cap Hit: $897K; 2016 Dead Cap: $133K) – *Cut** –* Why the hell did Marlon Moore see so much damn playing time. He’ll be 29 next year and has 26 total catches to his name. He’s not even that good on special teams, considering he’s had something like eight penalties for running into a fair catch returner.
Rannell Hall (2016 Cap Hit: $525K; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Keep** –* Was viewed as a decent developmental prospect. Is only six foot, but I’d rather have him than Marlon Moore – at least until the end of training camp.
Darius Jennings (2016 Cap Hit: ?; 2016 Dead Cap: ?) – *Keep** –* Another developmental guy I’m alright holding onto until the end of training camp. Jennings played his ass off in what little playing time he received, and he doubles as a kick returner and gunner on special teams.
Terrelle Pryor (2016 Cap Hit: ?; 2016 Dead Cap: ?) – *Keep** –* See a pattern here? Keep him until training camp at least. Pryor probably will never develop into a great wide receiver, but there’s no reason he cannot be utilized in a role that Dwayne Bowe should have been used this past season. Could be a decent redzone threat and double up as a fourth receiver due to his height and speed.
Josh Gordon (2016 Cap Hit: $1.068M; 2016 Dead Cap: $0) – *Keep** –* Someone correct me if I’m wrong on the cap numbers here, but I’m fairly certain those are correct. Anyways, keeping Gordon is a pretty straight answer unless you receive a great trade offer. Hue got great years out of Chad Johnson and was able to get troubled players to play well for him over the years. Hopefully he can do the same for Flash when, and if, he is reinstated for 2016.