Report: Browns visited with WR Tyler Lockett
By Paul Noel
It’s no secret that the Browns are in need of some more upgrades at wide receiver, even with the addition of veterans Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline. The Browns are likely done looking a veteran talent and are turning their focus squarely on the talented group coming out in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Browns will have a lot options to choose from in draft, but if they choose to wait past the 1st Round they may have an option in mind, and that option is Tyler Lockett of Kansas State. According to the John Kurtz, a local reporter from 1350 KMAN in Manhattan, Kansas. The Browns met with Lockett on March 30.
Lockett has workouts coming for the Chiefs and Bucs and will visit the Cleveland Browns on Monday.
— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) March 25, 2015
Lockett is a very interesting wideout prospect for Kansas City if he’s available in round two or three—where he’s projected to go according to CBSSports. He’s a smaller wideout at 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, but he has great quickness, runs clean routes and has the speed to go over the top of a defense. Lockett also had the combine stats to go along with the increased attention, 4.40-sec 40 yard dash, 4.07 20 yard dash, and a 35.5″ inch vertical. Lockett finished his career at Kansas State with record marks in catches (249), receiving yards (3,710), and touchdown catches (29). A two-year captain, Lockett reached 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in both 2013 and 2014. Lockett fits the mold of what Farmer targeted last year with the signing of Andrew Hawkins and undrafted free agent Taylor Gabriel, they are smaller-faster receivers who can stretch the defense and get open underneath and over the top. Lockett has been so impressive in the pre-draft circus that everyone is starting to take notice include NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah who said Lockett was a “steal” in the upcoming draft.
The more I look at the depth of this WR class, the more I believe someone is going to get a steal in KSU WR Tyler Lockett. Always open!
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 5, 2015
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Other teams besides the Browns have begun to take notice of Lockett, to include visits with the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Detroit Lions. Another interesting note on Lockett is that he is a skilled return specialist to include: six return touchdowns, and he was a two-time Big 12 special teams player of the year. I have noted before that the Browns may need an upgrade in the return game, especially after the season Travis Benjamin had last year. Benjamin suffered a torn ACL injury back during the 2013 season, and it looked like it affected his confidence during the 2014 season as a special teams player. The Browns eventually went away from Benjamin later in the 2014 season due to his confidence issues and only averaged 8.5 yards per return. Lockett could be an intriguing option for the Browns, but it will all depend on where he falls in their draft rankings and if he is the best player available when they pick. We only have a few weeks left to wait and see how it will all play out.
Does the Browns visiting with Tyler Lockett excite you?