The Cleveland Browns are staring one of the more crucial offseasons in team history right in the face. General manager John Dorsey was able to finally get it right for the Browns when he selected quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Mayfield’s ability to compete at a high level right away in the NFL puts the Browns in a unique and advantageous situation. The league has seen teams with quarterbacks still on their rookie deals flood their rosters with talent and take a shot at winning the whole thing.

It’s a difficult window to find yourself in as an NFL organization, yet the Browns are there right now. It creates a sense of urgency for this football team to compete as soon as possible. It also puts an enormous microscope over the moves that Dorsey will make leading into the 2019 season.

One popular belief is that the Browns will move on from linebacker Jamie Collins this offseason. In January of 2017, the Browns signed Collins to a four-year deal worth $50 million. They acquired him in exchange for their third-round pick in a trade with the New England Patriots during the 2016 season.

Collins has already been paid the $26.4 million of his extension that was guaranteed. He is due a $400,000 roster bonus and is set to make $10 million in 2019. If the Browns were to release him, they would only take on a $2.5 million cap hit in dead money, presenting them with a nice out in Collins’ contract, should they elect to take it.

Collins’ effort has been brought into question, with some feeling he takes plays off. There is no question he is a talented player, however, his play has been inconsistent at best and not nearly what they paid for. The ultimate question for Dorsey and new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is, can they afford to create another hole on the roster at this point?

The Browns have 10 picks in the upcoming draft and OverTheCap.com has the Browns with approximately $79 million in cap space based on a league-wide NFL cap of $190 million for the upcoming 2019 league year. Here are some free agents that the Browns could potentially sign to fill in for Collins should they part ways with him.

K.J. Wright, OLB, Seattle Seahawks Age: 30

Wright would be the ideal replacement for Collins. He has been outstanding for the Seahawks and a mainstay on their defense for the better part of a decade. Some will see his age and want to look elsewhere, however, in this case, it’s an asset. Wright would be a huge upgrade in the locker room, as well, and bring some needed experience and leadership to a young defense.

Wright only played five games in 2018 due to a knee injury but showed he was on his way back to 100 percent against the Cowboys in the playoffs this year. He had an interception, seven solo tackles and an assist in his best game of the season.

He should be ready to go in 2019 and if the Browns want to add an upgrade to Collins that will also help them grow up as a unit, this is the guy.

Dee Ford, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs, Age: 28

Ford’s career was somewhat disappointing until his coming-out party in 2018. Ford was very good on a bad defense. It will take a real deep dive into the tape to determine whether they want to make a run at Ford. He was not great against the run but logged 13 sacks in 2018. The Browns need help with the pass rush and Ford would provide that. The question becomes, can he be an upgrade over Collins?

Anthony Barr, OLB, Minnesota Vikings Age: 27

Barr is a good young linebacker who is terrific against the run. His weakness is in coverage but has shown glimpses of improvement in that area. Barr could step into the position but isn’t the kind of guaranteed upgrade like Wright would be. He could fill the role on first and second down admirably, though.

Competition

This brings us to the other solution. The free agency class at OLB is not a great group to pick from. I would love to see Wright on the Browns and think he would be a great fit, but after him, there really are no certainties.

The Browns could also choose to draft an OLB in the middle rounds of the draft and then supplement the roster with young guys like a Shaq Barrett or veterans like a Clay Matthews and see how the competition shakes out.

More on K.J. Wright

I didn’t see Collins as one of the biggest problems on the Browns defense in 2018 and he had his moments. The “out” in his contract is tempting, considering what he is owed and how he has performed though. I would love to see the Browns go after Wright as he would only add to the winning culture Dorsey is trying to implement. To date, the Seahawks have not offered Wright a contract.

K.J. Wright says in interview on @SportsRadioKJR with Cliff Avril and Jason Puckett that Seahawks have never made him a contract offer. Says he doesn't have a specific salary number in mind but that he wants to be "respected.'' — Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) January 10, 2019

Dorsey has been creative with trades and we know he will address every position, so there are other routes to ponder. Wright is a winner and a leader who can still play at an elite level and the Browns could upgrade OLB and their defense as a whole with a key signing like him. Regardless, it’s a situation to watch closely as we head into this pivotal off-season.