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Cleveland Browns: Getting to know the 2016 wide receivers

By Matt Stevenson

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (17) makes a catch as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake (41) defends during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (17) makes a catch as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake (41) defends during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

There is no guarantee that any of the current Browns receivers will make the roster this fall, but this Browns team won’t miserably disappoint fans with their receiver play like they did last season.

That being said, there is without a doubt a significant makeover coming in Cleveland at the receiver position.

Ricardo Louis, who was the second receiver selected by the Browns behind Coleman, is an intriguing prospect and excelled at the combine. Being selected with the No. 114 overall pick, it’s fair to assume Louis would contribute upon entering the league.

However, this is not necessarily the case.

Louis was merely a plug-and-play receiver behind a solid Auburn team up until last season, which was supposed to be a breakout year. Instead, Louis was under-utilized while consistently proving the points of scouts who said his hands will hold him back as a receiver.

One draft scout said, “Don’t see anything draftable about him. I don’t like his routes and I don’t like his hands,” according to NFL.com

Despite being taken before Higgins and Payton, Louis needs to establish himself as a true wide receiver who can develop and become a gamer at the NFL level. Of the rookie receivers drafted in the 2016 Draft, Louis has the most work to do to make the final 53-man roster.

Aside from Louis, there are a number of returning veterans who more than likely compete for the final few spots.

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Taylor Gabriel had a decent rookie campaign in 2014 totaling 36 receptions for 621 yards and one touchdown, but 2015 was not as productive as Gabriel battled injuries and playing time behind Hawkins and Hartline.

Not a guarantee that he returns to the team by the start of the 2016 NFL season, but it’s a good bet he’ll make the roster.

Terrelle Pryor is another intriguing player whose future rests in the hands of Hue Jackson.

Pryor wasn’t given the proper opportunity by previous Browns head coach Mike Pettine, and Pryor hopes to bounce back and display his athletic abilities under the new regime. He had only one catch in 2015 that was good for 42 yards.

A talented, multi-dimensional player like Pryor has the natural gift to compete at a high level, but with the new, young receiving corps in Cleveland it’s going to be hard to establish himself as a legitimate threat in the NFL.

So these three receivers are on the hot-seat, but that’s better than being on your way out.

Next: Who is on the way out?

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