Browns sign Dwayne Bowe

The Cleveland Browns completed a long rumored signing as the Browns inked former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe to a two year contract with terms undisclosed at this time.

Bowe was an impact player at one time,but has become more of a solid possession player as he has aged.
The 30 year old's numbers have slipped since his peak season in 2011,but still caught 60 passes last season,although he did not catch a touchdown pass in the campaign.
Bowe averaged 12 yards a catch,but only 50 yards per game and his longest play was a 37 yard gain.
Clearly,this is not the player that made the Pro Bowl three years ago,but he still is a solid enough receiver to be a decent addition.
Bowe's numbers have slid and he is 30 now,but the Chiefs have had less than terrific passers throwing to him,although if that was a factor in Kansas City,it is very likely to be an issue in Cleveland.

This is not a signing that makes the wide receivers a strong bunch,but Bowe was the best veteran available,with the arguable exception of Michael Crabtree,so you cannot fault the Browns for signing Bowe,although you could have blamed them for not acting earlier.
The Browns clearly had targeted Bowe and signing him after the Chiefs had released him allowed them to pass on other options.

Cleveland is following the Baltimore blueprint of trying to sign released players rather than free agents in order to pile up compensations picks in the 2016 draft.
Only Tramon Williams was a free agent among the Browns signees and I would say the Browns are very likely to add those picks.
The system compensates teams that lose more free agents than they sign and the Browns rank dead last in earning compensation picks since this system was instituted.
For better or worse,the Browns have a plan and for right or wrong,they are sticking to it.
They better as even though some of the new Browns might prove helpful,they aren't going to turn the franchise around.

I still think the Browns need to address the spot in the draft with someone that can get downfield and open up those crossing routes for veterans like Bowe,Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins,so if a player like Kevin White,Amari Cooper or DeVante Parker falls to 12 (one of them might),the Browns still have to give this position serious consideration.
Hopefully,Dwayne Bowe will be more like Andrew Hawkins than Davone Bess and give the Browns something to bridge the gap from bottom dweller than the hoped for eventual contender status.