Cleveland Browns: 4 takeaways after releasing Brian Hartline

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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 /

Not only does the decision to cut Hartline make sense from an analytic perspective, it also makes sense from a football perspective. The Browns are rebuilding, rebooting, re-whatever-you-want-to-call-it next season.

The Browns identified wide receiver as a position of need. With all the draft capital spent on receivers, it only makes sense that the Browns would want their investment on the field. Cutting Hartline puts the Browns in position to sink or swim this fall with draftees Cory Coleman, Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton, and Rashard Higgins. But did the Browns draft the wide receivers to fit all the wide receiver roles?

Corey Coleman was drafted to be the number one receiver on the team. The number one receiver is the team’s playmaker and deep threat. Ideally, the number one wide receiver requires a team to game plan for him, which helps the run game. Coleman fits that description. In college, Coleman was the Biletnikoff winner and a unanimous All-American. His professional comparison has been Steve Smith. Coleman plays with a style that is similar to Smith. At 5-foot-11 he is two inches taller than his comparison. If Coleman plays similar to Smith, the Browns will have placed a safe bet.

The Browns are also all-in with Jordan Payton and Rashard Higgins. At 6-foot-1 and 216 pounds, Payton is built like a number two and possession receiver. His physical style and skills with the ball in the air make him an ideal number two receiver.

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Rashard Higgins was taken in the fifth round and is by far the wild card of the group. His stock fell over lack of ideal measurables at the scouting combine. He comes to the Browns as an accomplished college receiver who played in a pro-style offense. He also runs the best routes of all the draftees. Look for Higgins to compete for the number two position. If not, he is a keeper as the number four developmental receiver.

Ricardo Louis fits the mold of a number two receiver with the potential to be a number one. His measurables are great. His speed led him to be drafted before Payton and Higgins, and his difficulties catching the ball make him a developmental project. He is a clear fourth or fifth receiver on the team and will need to be a special teams contributor to make the team.

These four, combined with veterans Andrew Hawkins,Terrelle Pryor and Taylor Gabriel, have the makings of a complete wide receiver group. By going “all in” with the rookies, Brian Hartline became expendable.

Next: A fun team to watch in 2016

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