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Cleveland Browns: Five positions to fix in 2016

By Murray Alexander

Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) walks through the tunnel to the Redskins
Aug 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) walks through the tunnel to the Redskins /
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Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) carries the ball against New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Lewis Hill (29) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) carries the ball against New Mexico State Aggies defensive back Lewis Hill (29) during the game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

The Browns have some talented players in their wide receiver corps, and a lot of speed, but lack a go-to guy at the position. Their depth chart is filled with second and third receivers that have specific skillsets, but that cannot demand the attention that top level receivers do.

In addition, there is a lot of overlap at the position as they have many small, quick receivers, such as Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins.

Related: Cleveland Browns: 10 players to look at in free agency

Benjamin was close to 1,000 yards last year and is an excellent deep threat, but like the rest of the roster does not win in multiple ways. Head coach Hue Jackson said shortly after being hired that in the NFL you need a “dominant vertical threat to have a good offensive team”. Josh Gordon fits that description and may be back this year, but he has proven so far that he is as unreliable as he is talented.

Free Agent Options

While the Browns should look at signing Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones in free agency, Alshon Jeffery of the Chicago Bears is the only proven No. 1 wide receiver on the market. At 6-foot-3 he has the size and physicality that the Browns are missing at wide receiver, and has shown time and again in Chicago that he can dominate at the catch point. Jeffery would add a dynamic that is sorely missing from the Browns wide receiver corps.

Draft Options

In the draft, the Browns could look to draft Mississippi’s Laquon Treadwell early. Much like Jeffery, Treadwell is a big (6-foot-3, 216-pound) physical wide receiver that attacks the football. In addition, given the opportunity he punishes defensive backs as a blocker.

Later in the draft the Browns could stay in Mississippi and pick up Mike Thomas from Southern Miss. He is smaller (6-foo-1, 200 pounds) than Jeffery and Treadwell, but he is a threat in the intermediate field, an area the Browns lack a receiver capable of consistently exploiting. Thomas also displays excellent body control and concentration, allowing him to make many spectacular catches.

Next: Defensive End

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