Cleveland Browns: Position battles to watch during training camp

Wide Receiver

The two starting wide receivers are in no question entering training camp with Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry. But where the positional depth chart gets interesting is with the third wide receiver.

There is no doubt that Corey Coleman has been a disappointment since the Browns drafted him in the first round in the 2016 NFL Draft. In two seasons, Coleman has struggled to stay on the field, while also struggling on the field. In 19 career games, Coleman has caught 56 of his 131 targets for 718 yards and five touchdowns.

Coming out of college, Coleman had electrifying speed that helped him create space. But with more talented players in the NFL, it has been hard for Coleman to create space to consistently get open. That is why the Browns explored trades for the 24-year-old receiver this off-season.

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Although he is still on the roster, Coleman is not guaranteed a big role this season. He may even lose his spot on the depth chart to rookie Antonio Callaway.

Callaway is similar to Coleman in they both have good speed. But Callaway has shown that he has great hands and can make aggressive plays on the ball. The biggest question surrounding Callaway is if a year away from football will create enough rust that he will struggle during the early part of the season. But if he can knock the rust off, he has the talent to become a big part of the team this season.

However, Coleman vs. Callaway is not the only competition at the wide receiver position. Dorsey added plenty of talent to the wide receiver room this off-season. Besides Landry and Callaway, the Browns also added Jeff Janis in free agency and drafted Damion Ratley.

Janis has proven to be a valuable special teams player for the Green Bay Packers. With three former Packers front office executives in Cleveland’s front office, the team may have plans for Janis on this year’s team.

Ratley is a player that if given time, could become a talented receiver. He showed flashes while at Texas A&M, but will need time to hone his skills. If the Browns believe in his potential, they may not want to risk putting him on waivers in order to get him on the practice squad.

With holdovers from the Brown-era in Rashard Higgins and Ricardo Louis, there will be a battle all throughout camp to make the roster as the team’s fourth and fifth receivers. In order to make the Browns’ final roster, the receivers may have to prove what they can do on special teams to earn a spot on the roster.