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Buster Skrine is set to hit free agency.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns are trying to re-sign cornerback Buster Skrine, but they'll have plenty of competition when he hits the free agent market March 10.

Skrine, coming off a career season, will be highly sought-after on the open market, according to several league sources at the NFL combine.

The Browns' fifth-round pick in 2011, Skrine is expected to command anywhere from about $5.5 million to $7 million a year in free agency.

Although the Browns have been in talks with Skrine's agent, Jared Fox, he'll most likely wait until March 10 and let the market set his price. The Browns can then decide whether or not they want to match or exceed any offer Skrine receives.

"I know it's well-documented, Buster (Skrine) going to free agency, that he's somebody that we've been in discussions to try to get back but we'll wait and see how that plays itself out,'' coach Mike Pettine said at the combine.

But with Skrine's versatility -- he can start or play nickelback -- he'll draw plenty of interest from other teams, including possibly some in the AFC North, sources have said.

Earlier this month, Skrine told Sirius XM radio that he'd love to return to the Browns, but that he plans to test the waters.

When he does, he'll be competing with other top corners such as Seattle's Byron Maxwell, Kansas City's Brandon Flowers and possibly New England's Darrelle Revis if the Patriots decide not to pick up his $20 million option for 2015.



The Browns really like Skrine and will be inclined to match any offer. What's more, with the third-most cap space in the NFL, they have the money to do it.



They had a chance to wrap him up before last season for much less than he'll make this year, but they wanted to pay him like a nickelback.



Little did they know at the time that No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert would struggle with off-the-field issues and that they'd need Skrine to start all 16 games for them.



Heading into 2015, the Browns still have no idea what they'll get out of Gilbert, who's issues transcend maturity and attitude, according to Pettine at the combine.



Pettine said he had a good meeting with Gilbert after the season, but will need some proof that Gilbert, who was suspended for the season finale for being late to a meeting the night before, is going to change.



"It was very positive, but it's similar to what I said about Manziel before the end of the year - words are one thing, actions are another,'' said Pettine. He was very resolute that he was going to go and get things right. On the flipside of it, with Johnny (Manziel) you couldn't ask for anything to speak more loudly than what he's done.''

But general manager Ray Farmer is confident that Gilbert can resolve his issues and live up to his No. 6 status.

"I think the player is in there,'' said Farmer. "I really do. I think he's capable and credible. I think Pett said it on one of his press conferences that you can show clips of him being very, very, very good and clips of him not being so good. It's part of the learning and growth process of any player -- working through that growth process.''



Skrine, who's started 31 games for the Browns over the past two seasons, stepped up in the midst of Gilbert's struggles and produced the finest season of his career. He tied for eighth in the NFL with a career-high four interceptions and finished tied for fourth in the NFL with 18 passes defensed, including 12 in the final eight games.



He also finished sixth on the team with his 66 tackles, including 55 solo.



Skrine, who struggled early on in his career, was never fazed by the drafting of Gilbert and planned to stave off the rookie.



"I feel like I'm going to get better every year," he said during camp. "I'm becoming a smarter player. Corner is one of those positions where you need experience to be able to play the position. Some of the best corners right now struggled their first year, or their first year playing, and now they're in the Pro Bowl every year. So that's just how it is."