Continuing our preview on the Cleveland Browns’ free agent class, we now take a look at P Britton Colquitt.
How and When He Joined the Browns: The Browns traded veteran P Andy Lee to the Carolina Panthers during the preseason for a fourth round pick. Cleveland tried out two young punters during the preseason, but were not content with either. When the Denver Broncos parted ways with their own veteran punter, Britton Colquitt, Cleveland jumped on him.
Productivity Level Last Season: Despite not playing in Mile High (as his home stadium) for the first time in his career, Colquitt did not suffer. He had an average of 45.3 yards per punt and a net average of 40.3 yards per punt. Both figures were his best since 2012. Overall, Colquitt was a stable punter for Cleveland, ranking around the middle of the NFL.
Why Keeping Him Could Make Sense: It’s always nice to have someone at the punter position who you know isn’t going to shank one every game.
What the Browns Should Do: Cleveland did not cheap out on Colquitt last year, as they signed him to a 1-year deal worth $1.7 million. Cleveland might have done that just to apply duct tape to the punter position for one season; it is unclear if they are ready or willing to commit long-term to Colquitt.
Veteran punters like the prospect of being locked up for five years, although there were a couple of three-year deals in 2016 as well. I'd aim for giving Colquitt a 3-year deal worth $6.5 million ($2.16 million per year). That would make him around the 15th highest paid punter in the NFL, going by average per year.
Let us know below whether or not the team should try to re-sign Colquitt!