Donte Whitner released by Cleveland Browns Whitner becomes the latest veteran and seventh starter to leave the Browns since the 2015 season ended. Whitner and inside linebacker Karlos Dansby have been released, and offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz, receiver Travis Benjamin, safety Tashaun Gipson, inside linebacker Craig Robertson and center Alex Mack left as free agents.

Seems like a curious time to release a player of Whitner's capacity and he agrees:

I just wish they had common courtesy and would've done it weeks ago when free agency was going on... #25thHour... But I'll bounce back! — DonteHitner (@DonteWhitner) April 3, 2016

I believe Whitner was a bit over drafted (#8 overall) by the Bills back in 2006. Ever sine he has had tremendous expectations that he never really lived up too. After a stellar rookie campaign he was three mediocre years before breaking out in 2010 with 140 combined tackles, 7 PDs and 1 INT. That season led to a nice contract offer from the 49ers but after three seasons he never lived up to it. He did have a couple seasons where he made some plays on the ball getting 10 PDs in 2011 and 12 in 2013.

What a coup it would be for the Panthers to now land Whitner for their secondary. Whitner played for $4.5M in 2015 for the Browns and I bet won't be on the market too long before getting an offer. More than likely he will take a little time to see visit a few teams and try to leverage one off the other. Even then I bet he plays for a lot less than $4.5M.

So would you like to see the Panthers land Donte Whitner?