Browns Rumors: Browns Next For A QB Trade? Austin Hooper’s Future In Cleveland, Top WR Free Agents

Cleveland Browns rumors and news amid the NFL Franchise Tag Deadline focuses on two things: Will Austin Hooper get cut or return for the 2022 season and who the new top wide receiver targets for the Browns in NFL Free Agency. After David Njoku got the franchise tag on Monday, many thought that would spell doom for Hooper in Cleveland. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the Browns will bring Hooper back for one more season. Austin Hooper’s contract does prove to be difficult to work around, so Matthew takes a deep dive at his contract. We wrap up today’s Browns Report with a new top 5 list of wide receivers the Browns should target in NFL Free Agency.

Browns Fans! Answer these questions from today’s Browns Report:
- Be the GM! What to do with Austin Hooper: Type ‘C’ for Cut, ‘K’ for Keep or ‘T’ for Trade
- Will Austin Hopper have a bounce back season? Type ‘Y’ for Yes or ‘N’ for No
- Who should the Browns sign in NFL Free Agency?

Austin Hooper notes: Conflicting reports have come out regarding Hooper’s future in Cleveland. Hooper carries a $13.2 million cap hit for 2022. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Browns are going to keep Hooper.

Austin Hooper contract situation:
2022 Cap Hit: $13.2 million
Cap Savings: $2 million
Dead Cap: $11.2 million

Austin Hooper contract situation:
2022 Cap Savings: $9.5 million
2022 Dead Cap: $3.7 million
2023 Dead Cap: $7.5 million

NFL tight end leaders from 2021:
- Mark Andrews: 1,361 YDS | 9 TD
- Travis Kelce: 1,125 YDS | 9 TD
- Kyle Pitts: 1,026 YDS | 1 TD
- George Kittle: 910 YDS | 6 TD
- Dallas Goedert: 830 YDS | 4 TD
- Hooper/Njoku: 820 YDS | 7 TD
- Dalton Schultz: 808 YDS | 8 TD
- Rob Gronkowski: 802 YDS | 6 TD

Browns Free Agency news is coming your way when you subscribe to the Browns Report on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/brownsreport?sub_confirmation=1

NFL Free Agent Wide Receivers off the table for the Browns:
- Davante Adams (Packers)
- Chris Godwin (Bucs)
- Calvin Ridley (Falcons)
- Mike Williams (Chargers)

Browns wide receiver targets following the NFL Franchise Tag Deadline:
- Amari Cooper (Cowboys)
- Allen Robinson (Bears)
- DJ Chark (Jaguars)
- Allen Lazard (Packers)
- JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers)

Follow Browns Report host Matthew Peterson for Browns Free Agency news and rumors: https://twitter.com/MatthewPetey

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