Cleveland Browns: Is Roddy White worth a flyer?

Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Antwon Blake (41) attempts to make the tackle int he third quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /

With Hue Jackson announcing the Cleveland Browns will draft a quarterback in this year’s draft, the focus will soon shift to who exactly the new signal caller will be throwing to.

Cleveland Browns fans are still awaiting the league’s decision on the reinstation of wide receiver Josh Gordon, and while it sounds as though he will be allowed back, and vice president of football operations Sashi Brown has already said there will be a place for Gordon on the team, the question becomes if he can stay out of trouble long enough to have any sort of substantial impact for the Browns.

Last year’s receiving corps, which was comprised mainly of speedster Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins in the slot, and Brian Hartline, had moderate success. Benjamin went for almost 1,000 yards and grabbed five touchdowns; Hartline had just over 500 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games; and Hawkins, who played in only eight games last season, had 276 yards and no touchdowns. Tight end Gary Barnidge was the team’s leading pass catcher, however, with more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.

This group of receivers would likely be a fine combination for whichever quarterback the Browns decide to draft with the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, if it weren’t for the fact that there are currently conflicting reports about how contract talks with Benjamin are going. Some say the talks have broken down, while Brown has come out and said he is still meeting with Benjamin’s agent, and talks are still ongoing.

Enter Roddy White.

An 11-year veteran, White was released by the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday afternoon, sending a decent amount of shockwaves through the NFL world. A first-round draft pick in 2005, White has spent his entire career with the Falcons, and was a part of a strong duo of receivers across from Julio Jones since 2011.

White really broke on the scene in 2007, as he went for 1,200 yards and six touchdowns. Between 2007 and 2014 season, White missed only five games, made four Pro Bowls went over 1,000 yards six times and totaled 59 touchdowns.

His production really dropped off this past season as he amassed just over 500 yards, and caught only one touchdown, while still managing to play in every game. This drop could be reasonably expected though for an 11-year veteran, White is not the type of player the Browns need right now.

The name is obviously there, but questions now arise about if the skill still is. White will turn 35 this coming season, and while his stability at the position is attractive, this is not a player expected to have any more 100 catch, 1,000-yard seasons in him. Even if Gordon should end up not playing a full year, or even not playing at all in 2016, is an aging White really the answer to that problem?

With Cleveland controlling the 32nd pick in the upcoming draft, that is a spot where the Browns could target the best receiver available, or potentially package that pick with some other picks to move back into the late first round to grab a quality talent at the wide receiver position.

Next: 5 options to replace Alex Mack

The Cleveland Browns will open free agency on March 9 with a little more than $47 million in salary cap space to spend. Follow Dawg Pound Daily for all the latest news on free agency as the Browns work to rebuild their roster.

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