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NFL: The five best fits for Kirk Cousins in free agency

By Maxwell Ogden

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 22: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 22: Head coach Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

5. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns were the worst team in the league in 2017, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a desirable destination. Cleveland has more cap space than all but one other franchise in the NFL, as well as the No. 1 and No. 4 overall selections in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Thus, while Kirk Cousins may want to join a situation with more stability, the Browns have as high of a ceiling as any team in the NFL entering the offseason.

Per Spotrac, the Browns will have an estimated $111,646,262 in cap space during the 2018 period of free agency. Thus, even if Cleveland were to hand out a $30 million contract to Cousins, it would still have roughly $81 million to work with.

That could enable it to improve its skill positions, but it could also allow it to improve the defense or pursue an offensive lineman such as Andrew Norwell.

Furthermore, the Browns could add a dynamic playmaker such as Saquon Barkley and a potential defensive anchor such as Bradley Chubb or Minkah Fitzpatrick. Regardless of what it chooses to do at the 2018 NFL Draft, there will be options.

With mountains of cap space and two top-five picks, the Browns could become a postseason contender in just one offseason—and Cousins could help them get there.

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