2018 NFL Draft: Browns select Antonio Callaway with pick No. 105

Despite character concerns that was rumored to be taking him off some boards altogether, the Cleveland Browns started their final day of the NFL Draft by selecting Antonio Callaway, WR, Florida with the 114th pick.

The Cleveland Browns started Day 3 of the 2018 NFL Draft by taking what can be best called a flier on Antonio Callaway, the wide receiver out of Florida. While immensely talented (both Mel Kiper and Todd McShay called him a first-round talent if it weren’t for the character issues), the character issues are hard to ignore.

At 5-foot-11 and 200-pounds, and owner of a 4.41 40-yard dash time, Callaway brings the size and speed to be an NFL receiver. He is the definition of potential. Callaway is the only player in the history of Florida Gators football to score a touchdown by rush, catch, pass, punt return and kickoff return. Walter Football compared his game to that of Antonio Brown.

But he has also served two suspensions in three years linked to a sexual assault accusation, two felony complaints tied to use of a stolen credit card and three known marijuana incidents including one at this year’s NFL Combine.

General manager John Dorsey has a track record of selecting players who bring baggage into the NFL. Tyreek Hill is a good, and recent, example of this. And Callaway has vowed to change. Still, after everything this organization has been through with Josh Gordon over the past four years, this is a head scratcher.

On top of the questions, the Browns moved up for Callaway. In order to move from No. 114 to No. 105, they surrendered the 178th pick.

The NFL Draft is like a golf tournament in reverse. The first round feels like the final round. It draws the largest TV rating. It’s the talk of the water cooler the next day.

But to many football fans, the Saturday of the draft is what they call “moving day” in golf. And it frequently can decide if an organization is moving forward or in reverse. With the selection of Callaway, the Cleveland Browns are trying to hit the green in two with a long iron.

Next: Draft grades for Day 2 picks

Let’s hope they don’t end up in the water. Cleveland still has picks at No. 150, 175 and 188 remaining.