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Cleveland Browns: Which offensive rookies will make the team?

By Joel W. Cade

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being 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: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being 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: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ricardo Louis (5) runs the ball against Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel (47) in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers in overtime 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Ricardo Louis (5) runs the ball against Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel (47) in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers in overtime 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Ricardo Louis

When it came to wide receivers, the theme of the 2016 NFL Draft was speed. Teams valued speed as the greatest commodity for the group. Those players with good 40-yard dash times got chosen before the more technical receivers with slower 40-yard dash times. Which proves the old adage – “you can’t teach speed”. But apparently you can teach technique. With Ricardo Louis, Al Saunders will have a big job ahead of him.

Ricardo Louis was drafted with the 16th pick of the fourth round. Louis will forever be linked to his catch against Georgia with less than a minute remaining in the game. Louis’ catch on the tipped pass helped the Tigers defeat the Bulldogs and earn a spot in the 2014 BCS Championship Game.  He also played in the Auburn spread offense with fellow rookie Shon Coleman. Like most players coming out of a spread system, there is a lot of technique that will need to be taught and learned. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, plus a 4.43 40 yard dash, Louis has the size and speed to compete at the NFL level. But if it were only that easy. He has trouble with focus drops and catching the deep pass. He does not run precise routes. He will need to learn to play wide receiver at the NFL level.

Louis is an intriguing fit into Jackson’s system. Louis has shown the ability to catch and run. The quick passing game should set him up to find holes in zones and run past defenders versus man. If Jackson can put in him position to catch the ball with space to run, Louis could be effective.

With the wide receiver room wide open Louis has a chance to make the roster. His role will be limited to the slot receiver position until he can learn to run precise routes and get over the focus drops. If he can do it, Louis will be a very intriguing option as wide receiver for the Browns. His primary competition in camp will be Terrelle Pryor who has similar build and speed.

Verdict: With more polished receivers on the roster, Louis will need to be a special teams contributor to make the team. Louis ends up on the practice squad then taken by another team, because of his speed, who can carry him while teaching the NFL game.

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