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Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Profile: WR John Ross

By Matt Stevenson

December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) runs against Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) runs against Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) runs against Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship at Levi’s Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross (1) runs against Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship at Levi’s Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Cleveland Browns selected four wide receivers in 2016, though John Ross would seemingly fit well with the direction of this Browns offense.

The Cleveland Browns invested in Corey Coleman last season and he should make great strides in his sophomore season. The former Baylor receiver showed flashes in 2016 although suffered several injuries.

Finding another versatile receiver to pair with Coleman and newly acquired Kenny Britt would not only help the receivers but also the quarterback. Enter John Ross.

Of course, Ross captured the attention of the national media during the 2017 NFL Combine. In case you missed it, he ran a record 4.22 40-yard dash time, a new combine record. So the speed is not a question for this young man. The Browns haven’t had a definite deep-threat since the loss of Travis Benjamin and could be looking to find one.

The Browns receiving corps was far from good in 2016, but it was expected due to the amount of rookies. Ricardo Louis, Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins and Jordan Payton all battled for playing time and Coleman missed six games.

There is some turnover at the position for the Browns heading into the 2017 NFL season though. Cleveland let Terrelle Pryor walk in free agency and waived veteran Andrew Hawkins in a mutual agreement. But, they did sign Kenny Britt away from the Los Angeles Rams and, once again, await the NFL’s decision regarding Josh Gordon’s potential reinstatement.

Corey Coleman and Kenny Britt appear to be the only locks at the receiver position for the Browns in 2017. The Browns know they cannot rely on Gordon and they have a stable of unproven receivers behind Coleman and Britt.

Finding a slot receiver that can also kick outside at times as a deep-threat is ideal and John Ross meets those expectations.

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