NFL Free Agency: Browns Mock

Nov 2, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts III (84) runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati defeated Jacksonville 33-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Duron Carter – CFL

The Cleveland Browns have looked at Carter already with a workout on Friday. The team met with Carter about a month ago as well. While Farmer has made it clear that drafting a wide receiver high is not something he is likely to do, bringing in one in free agency is likely. The team gets a little best of both worlds with Carter. He is young but has experience professionally from his time in the CFL. He is a huge receiver, 6’5″, that projects as a low level #1 or a great #2 over the next few seasons. The Browns will be making decisions this year as if Josh Gordon is not a part of their long term future. Carter, and the return of Miles Austin, is the start of that.

Cecil Shorts – Jacksonville Jaguars

Shorts is the completion of that. Shorts is a perfect #2 type receiver to go along with Carter and Andrew Hawkins. Shorts runs all the routes well, has great hands and is from the area. With a number of high profile receivers hitting the market the Browns strike quickly to bring in Shorts before other teams move on from their primary, bigger, targets. We profiled Shorts earlier this off-season and feel great about his fit with the culture of the Browns. The 6′ receiver had 53 catches for 557 yards and 1 TD last season. Chad Henne and Blake Bortles, along with missing 3 games, can impact anyone’s stats. It will also help the Browns pull in Shorts for less than expected.

1st Step Complete – With the additions of Carter and Shorts the Browns will have shored up the biggest weakness on the roster and given themselves both leverage over Gordon and the freedom to drop him as they see fit. With an engaged Gordon the Browns’ top 5 receivers could rival that of most other teams, which could also lead to cutting Austin at the end of Training Camp. Without him they will still have a solid group of receivers to work with, most with upside to continue to develop.

Next: Stage 2 of Browns Mock NFL Free Agency