Cleveland Browns: 6 moves the team should make right now
By Shane Carter
Trade for Houston wide receiver Jaelen Strong
This trade proposal is probably going to raise a few eyebrows, but the reality is that the Browns need a receiver opposite Kenny Britt. With the health of Coleman a lingering concern, it’s always good to have insurance, and a receiver who is 6-foot-2 with 4.44 speed is nice insurance to have.
Obviously, Strong has underwhelmed in his two seasons in Houston with only 28 catches, 292 yards and three touchdowns to his name. It hasn’t help that he’s played for a team that has had similar quarterback woes to the Browns, and played second fiddle to star receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Those factors could make almost anyone look like a bum.
Going into 2017, Strong is probably fourth on the Houston depth chart behind Hopkins, Will Fuller and Braxton Miller. Both sides could do well with a fresh start. Despite Strong being a former third-round pick, his production could make him cheap enough to acquire for only as high as a sixth-round pick. Cleveland can spare one of them in the 2018 NFL Draft, so why not?
Sign free agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin
He may be turning 37 this year, but age didn’t stop the Baltimore Ravens from trying to bring back Steve Smith. Anquan Boldin is one of the most respected and intelligent of NFL vets, and seems to want to keep playing for at least another year. This Browns team is very young and could benefit from veteran leadership to go along with Joe Thomas.
Considering that he is a seasoned vet, Boldin had a surprisingly productive 2016 season with 67 catches, 584 yards and eight touchdowns. He still has very good hands and is a great downfield blocker, which Isaiah Crowell could benefit from.
A potential future Hall of Fame receiver? Great blocker and catcher? Intelligent? Good leader? Wouldn’t cost much? Go ahead and explain why the Browns would be nuts to sign him.
Trade for Jacksonville wide receiver Allen Hurns
Aside from Zach Orr, Allen Hurns may be the best player mentioned in this article. He also could end up costing the most to acquire.
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An undrafted receiver out of Miami, Hurns joined the Jaguars 2014 along with Allen Robinson and Marquise Lee. This was the creation of what fans of the Jags thought could turn into one of the league’s most complete wide receiver trios.
In his first two seasons, Hurns totaled 115 catches, 1,708 yards and 16 touchdowns. This earned him a four-year extension worth $40 million.
However, last season was his regression year with 35 catches, 477 yards and three touchdowns. It wasn’t all his fault. The rising play of Lee and the regression of starting quarterback Blake Bortles lead to a frustrating year in Jacksonville.
With the rookie deals of both Lee and Robinson ending this season, the team may want to give Hurns the Mychal Kendricks treatment and trade him for a draft pick to clear room to re-sign their top two receivers. Hurns still has plenty of talent, and coming to Cleveland could give him a larger role in an offense that could potentially turn him into a number one receiver.
Given his play, age and cap number, he may cost a fifth round pick or possibly a fourth. However, Cleveland has 12 picks in 2018 and using one on a proven vet would be a wise investment.
Next: Browns may add another wide receiver, or not
Hurns may not be the receiver from Jacksonville named Allen that fans may want, but he’s still one the team could use and have success with.