NFL Free Agent Rumors: Browns Making ‘Strong Push’ for Julian Edelman; Panthers Eyeing Hakeem Nicks

Julian Edelman
Julian Edelman
Mark J Rebilas USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Browns have been anything but shy during free agency, locking up Karlos Dansby, the man the middle of the defense, and adding Donte Whitner to the secondary. It appears the team is not done yet.

According to the CSN New England, the Browns are making a “strong push” to land Julian Edelman from the New England Patriots. The Browns have an offer on the table for Cincinnati Bengals receiver Andrew Hawkins, but expects Cincy to match it.

Edelman has been pinpointed as one of XN Sports’ cautionary free-agent targets. Though Edelman has been a jack-of-all-trades with the Pats, he is coming off his first 16-game season and all of his career-high statistics came during a contract year. Because Josh Gordon is embedded as the No. 1 wideout in Cleveland, Edelman doesn’t have to fit in as a main guy, which does make him a little more attractive.

Hakeem Nicks’ days with the New York Giants appear to be coming to an end, and the former Pro Bowl wideout could be heading home. Nicks, who played his college ball at North Carolina, is being targeted as a replacement for Steve Smith by the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Because of injuries and an unproductive 2013 campaign, Nicks should come as a cheap option for the Panthers in a one-year, “show me what you can do” sort of deal. CBS Sports reported Nicks is seeking a deal worth $4.5 million annually.

The New York Jets got their new No. 1 wide receiver late Wednesday evening, now they’re in the market for a new No. 2 quarterback. And with Josh McCown off the market to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team’s full attentions again is shifted toward Michael Vick.

According to the New York Post, the Jets envision Vick as a backup for second-year quarterback Geno Smith and a starter should he suffer from a sophomore slump. Vick was previously rumored to be a target of the Minnesota Vikings, though that appears highly unlikely since the team re-signed Matt Cassel. If the Jets cannot land Vick, their second option is believed to be Shaun Hill.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.