The Cleveland Browns have new holes to fill thanks to losing four starters in free agency. So how can the team replace wide receiver Travis Benjamin?
The opening days of free agency were not kind to the Cleveland Browns as the team saw four starters leave town for what they believe will be better days.
While the loss of center Alex Mack and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz will be the most painful, both figuratively and literally for whoever lines up behind center, the Browns also have to find a replacement for wide receiver Travis Benjamin.
The fourth-year receiver had a career year in 2015, finishing with 68 receptions, 966 yards and five touchdown receptions. Benjamin also rediscovered his game as a punt returner, averaging 11.6 yards per return (third best in the league) and adding his third career punt return touchdown.
“We feel like we need to have some great play at the wide receiver position, whether it’s from the slot, certainly outside.” – Sashi Brown
Even though Benjamin brought a sense of excitement to the offense, it is worth noting that of his eight touchdown receptions over the past two seasons, five of them came against the Tennessee Titans. Unless the Browns are going to be allowed to schedule the Titans eight or nine times a year, the playmaker aspect of Benjamin’s game may not be as hard to replace as some are making it out to be.
The Browns do need to do something, of course, as Benjamin was a solid part of the offense and it is pretty impressive that he almost hit 1,000 receiving yards while catching passes the final five games of the season from Johnny Manziel and Austin Davis.
Let’s take a look at the Browns’ options – internally, through free agency as well as the draft – for replacing Benjamin’s spot in the lineup.
Next: Internal Options
The Browns could decide to do nothing and bank on wide receiver Josh Gordon being reinstated by the NFL, simply plugging Gordon back into the lineup in replace of Benjamin.
A properly motivated Gordon should have no problem matching Benjamin’s stats from 2015, and if he is really motivated could far exceed them.
Related: 5 options to replace Alex Mack
That’s a pretty big gamble, of course, as the last time Gordon returned from a league-imposed suspension he was disinterested, didn’t bother to learn the playbook and was generally disruptive to the offense and the team. That occurred in mid-season, however; this time he will presumably have training camp and preseason to get his game together, which should result in a better on-field experience.
The Browns could also take into account the possibility that:
- Andrew Hawkins will return to his 2014 form (63 receptions for 824 yards) after struggling with concussions in 2015,
- Taylor Gabriel will do the same,
- Terrelle Pryor is actually an NFL wide receiver,
- Brian Hartline can reverse his three-year decline, and
- Dwayne Bowe‘s complete lack of production was really due to a sinister plot by the former coaching staff rather than diminishing skills.
If some of those bets pay off, and Gordon makes it back, the receiving group shouldn’t be any worse off than it was in 2015.
Next: Free Agent Options
One of the reasons the San Diego Chargers moved so quickly to strike a deal with Travis Benjamin was because the free agent market for wide receivers is incredibly thin this year.
Now with Benjamin, Marvin Jones, Rishard Matthews, Mohamed Sanu and Jermaine Kearse off the market, the pickings are even slimmer.
Among the top names still available are James Jones, Rueben Randle, Nate Washington and Mike Wallace.
Related: 10 options to replace Mitchell Schwartz
As one would expect, none of those players is a long-term option at wide receiver and each carries their own set of baggage.
Here is what Pro Football Focus has to say about Jones:
"The top five receivers are all players who entered the league in 2012 and can sign long-term contracts. If a team wants more of a short-term fix with less upside (but less bust potential), James Jones is their best option. His 17.8 yards-per-catch were the best for receivers with at least 35 catches. While he was invisible in some games, in others (with the right cornerback matchup) he was capable of huge showings. For most of his career, Jones has benefited from having Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but even in 2014 in Oakland, Jones was still an average receiver."
And Randle:
"Most receivers on this list helped their stock in 2015, but Randle was an exception to that rule. After three straight years of increasing playing time and improved production, Randle saw plenty of playing time in 2015 with not enough production. He had just 1.31 yards-per-route-run, which was sixth-worst for those with at least 500 routes. This was due to a lack of big plays in 2015. In 2014, he forced 13 players to miss tackles on him, which was 10th-best among receivers. If he can return to his 2014 form, he would be a solid second receiver."
And Washington:
"The top seven wide receivers on this list are all outside players with little to no experience in the slot. At his best, Washington is a dependable receiver who is capable of moving the chains. He’s been penalized just three times over the last five years, and during the majority of seasons, he’s an above average run-blocker. At his age (32), there probably isn’t much left in the tank, but he can still be part of a wide receiver rotation."
Here is what Bleacher Report has to say about Wallace:
"Mike Wallace re-entered free agency as a cap casualty for the Minnesota Vikings. He was cut just one season into his Vikings tenure because of his diminishing physical skills. He had just 39 receptions, 473 yards and two touchdowns in 2015. His ability to create big plays has been practically absent the last few seasons, and he hasn’t been a major deep threat since 2011."
Maybe those internal options are not such a bad idea for the Browns after all.
Next: Draft Options
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.
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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.