2016 Cleveland Browns roster analysis: The wide receivers

Jordan Payton 

Age: 23

Experience: 1 year 

Contract Status: Free Agent in 2020 

Payton got a late start to learning the Browns playbook because of a new CBA rule that didn’t allow him to join the team until right before training camp. The rule was Payton could not participate in team activities until the UCLA school year ended.

As Payton played catch up most of the preseason he ran exclusively with the third team. He made the Browns final 53-man roster but was not in the receivers rotation. He only played in four games and caught one pass for thee yards.

In December it was announced Payton would be suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy for performance-enhancing drugs.

Next: Browns should look to OSU for help

2017 Outlook: 

Payton lacks breakaway speed but found ways to get open at UCLA. He can develop into a safety blanket or short yardage receiver in the future.