Cleveland Browns should be looking at wide receiver D.J. Chark

The Cleveland Browns could do worse than using a mid-round draft pick on LSU wide receiver D.J. Chark.

The Cleveland Browns have a lot of holes to fill before the 2018 NFL season starts. Not the least of which is wide receiver, whose production as a group last year was mediocre at best, and a total disaster at worst.

Needless to say, the Browns need to pick up a receiver this offseason. Perhaps free agency could hold the answer for the Browns? After all they, do have the most cap space in the league.

Well, unfortunately for the Browns, the top free agent receiver options have some glaring flaws. The Miami Dolphins have already franchise tagged Jarvis Landry (although they are open to trades), and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson’s recovery from a torn ACL could scare away some teams.

So, what are the Browns to do? The 2018 NFL Draft, of course. With perhaps the greatest war chest of all time, general manager John Dorsey and company seem poised to make a run at least one receiver in the middle rounds of the draft.

Enter LSU’s D.J. Chark, a 6-foot-3 wide receiver with the quickness to get separation from cornerbacks. Just how quick is he? Let’s take a look at his Scouting Combine performance:

Chark ran a 4.34 second 40-yard dash last week in Indianapolis. That’s one-tenth of a second faster than Florida’s Antonio Callaway, who is 5-foot-9, and nearly one-tenth of a second faster than fellow LSU alum Odell Beckham Jr.

Chark builds up speed shockingly quick. NFL.com’s Combine profile on Chark had high praise for his acceleration ability:

"“Acceleration is smooth and sudden. Can run away from people without even trying.”"

While freakishly athletic, Chark does have his drawbacks. At only 199 pounds, Chark has a very slight build, especially given his height. He also ran a limited route tree for the Tigers, although that may improve over time.

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While Chark only had 86 career touches, 10 of them went for touchdowns, and 36 percent of his catches went for 25 yards or more. On vertical routes, Chark is an impressive separator with his amazing stride and acceleration.

So, should the Browns take a flyer on Chark on the second day of the draft? Oh yes, absolutely yes. The Browns need playmakers and Chark is just that. He can go up and get the ball and break away from defenders like almost no other receiver in this class.

If the Browns line Chark up across from Josh Gordon and put Corey Coleman in the slot, that could be a dangerous trio for any quarterback to throw to. And that is before including running back Duke Johnson in the backfield, along with other weapons the Browns might draft or sign this offseason.

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The Browns just need playmakers and Chark is an electric receiver with home run ability. This one, quite honestly, just writes itself.

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