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Cleveland Browns Expected To Make It Rain In Free Agency

By Sayre Bedinger

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs past New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley (90) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) runs past New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley (90) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 14, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is tackled by New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) is tackled by New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower (54) during the first quarter in the AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Dont’a Hightower, LB, Patriots

Rumor has it, Hightower turned down over $10 million annually from the New England Patriots. He has won two rings in the past three seasons, and has certainly brought home his share of hardware. The Patriots have plenty of money to re-sign Hightower, but will he price himself out of their comfortable range?

Enter the Browns, who really don’t have much of a filter to have to use this offseason. They can basically afford to pay whatever they want to whatever player they want. Hightower might be looking for upwards of $12 million or more per season on a long-term deal with a lot of guaranteed cash, and this Cleveland team can afford to be a bit over the top this offseason.

After trading basically nothing for Jamie Collins, the Browns reunite two Patriots defenders to key a defensive rebuild. Hightower has proven, like Collins, versatility within a defensive scheme. He will turn just 27 in March, and is entering the prime of his career. One reason the Patriots might be willing to let Hightower go: He has never started a full 16-game slate in his NFL career.

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