Should Browns pursue former division rival this offseason?

Following the Browns' wild-card loss to the Texans last weekend, they are focusing on the 2024 season and which players they could add to strengthen their roster. 

Should Cleveland sign one of its former AFC North rivals? Pro Football Focus thinks so.

PFF says that the Browns "should pursue" upcoming free agent WR Marquise Brown, who played for the Cardinals (2022-23) and Ravens (2019-21) to begin his career.

"As the Browns look to take a step forward in 2024, finding a player who can win downfield would be smart," PFF's Gordon McGuinness writes. "Brown was once again held back by injuries in 2023, perhaps meaning he is set to sign a one-year, prove-it deal, but has made plays downfield throughout his NFL career."

The No. 25 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has 313 catches for 3,644 yards and 28 touchdowns in his five-year NFL career. A one-year deal does make sense for Brown since he has dealt with injuries in almost every season. The 26-year-old ended his 2023 season on injured reserve with a heel injury.

However, Brown still finished the year as Arizona's second-leading receiver (574), proving he could create quite the duo with WR Amari Cooper, especially after WR Elijah Moore totaled just 640 yards and two touchdowns in 2023.

It's unlikely that Cleveland will give up entirely on Moore after trading a second-round pick as part of the deal to acquire him last offseason. And the Browns' quarterback carousel certainly didn't help things either as they started four different quarterbacks (Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, PJ Walker and Joe Flacco).

Having Brown would be beneficial, nonetheless, in the scenario that Moore continues to underwhelm next season. 

Plus, Brown would surely welcome the opportunity to play against his former team that traded him away twice a year.