Cleveland Browns: How to replace Travis Benjamin?
By Thomas Moore
The 2016 NFL Draft may mark the return of the Browns selecting a wide receiver.
While there is no reason to go overboard and take someone with the No. 2 overall selection, there could be plenty of options for the Browns when they open the second round of the draft.
Related: 5 options to replace Tashaun Gipson
TCU’s Josh Doctson is coming off a season where he caught 79 passes for 1,337 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 11 games, earning consensus first team All-American honors. A 2015 Fred Biletnikoff Award finalist, Doctson is second in school history in career receptions and yards, and is TCU’s record holder for touchdown receptions.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Doctson is a:
"Highly productive receiver with good height but in need of more functional mass for the NFL game. Doctson must prove he can play against press coverage if he is to reach his potential, but his ability to go up and win when the ball is in the air will endear him to quarterbacks. Scouts don’t expect to be wowed by his 40 time, but most believe he’ll be a solid No. 2 receiver in the league."
Notre Dame’s Will Fuller was team MVP after catching 62 passes for 1,258 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, giving him a total of 138 receptions, 2,352 yards and 29 touchdowns over the past two years.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com:
"Fuller doesn’t check all the boxes with his slight frame, below average hands and limitations with his game-by-game production, but he possesses the coveted ability to hit the big play and score touchdowns. My grade might be higher than some, but Fuller has the type of functional speed that can win deep and free teammates up in the intermediate passing game. Look for Fuller to come in and contribute early on as a third receiver."
Tyler Boyd of Pitt finished his collegiate career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (254) and yards (3,361). An All-ACC first team selection as a wide receiver the past two years, he also was second-team All-ACC honors as a returner in 2014 after posting 442 kick return yards and 162 punt return yards.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com:
"Pittsburgh asked Boyd to be a running back and possession receiver this season, but that doesn’t define what he can be in the pros. Boyd makes up for a lack of speed with vice grips for hands and being intelligent in his routes. Boyd isn’t a standalone WR1, but he can be a very productive starter in a play-action attack that allows him to play to his strengths."
Michael Thomas grew as a receiver during his four years at Ohio State, going from three receptions his freshman year to being the Buckeyes top receiver the past two seasons. He followed up his junior year (54 receptions for 799 yards and nine touchdowns) by catching 56 passes for 781 yards and nine touchdowns in 2015, earning third team All-Big Ten honors in the process.
According to his draft profile at NFL.com:
"Thomas has just scratched the surface of his potential in Ohio State’s offense full of quick outs and tunnel screens. While he has the size and potential to excite offensive coordinators, Thomas is still a work in progress who must develop a greater feel for the position if he is to match his traits with real NFL production. Thomas has a relatively high ceiling, but his floor is “bust.”"
The Browns certainly will not use the second overall selection in the draft on a wide receiver, but after looking over all their options, if they want to improve the position they probably need to make a move in the second or third round.
Next: 5 Questions on Colin Kaepernick
Free agency is underway and the NFL Draft is on the horizon. Be sure to follow Dawg Pound Daily to keep up with everything the Browns are trying to do while they go through their latest biennial rebuilding project.