Cleveland Browns: 3 free agent wide receivers worth a look

Brandon LaFell

Brandon LaFell’s breakout season in 2014 and once more in 2016 have made him a rather head-scratching candidate this late into free agency. At 6-foot-2, the 31-year old receiver from Louisiana State should probably be on a team right now after the Bengals recently released him. Fortunately for Cleveland, he remains a free agent, and John Dorsey could sign him today if he so chooses.

After being drafted in 2010, it took LaFell a while to settle into his NFL role. Then, in his 2014 season with the New England Patriots, he had a career year of 74 receptions for 953 yards, on the way to a Super Bowl XLIX victory. In 2015, he only played 11 games on the year, and LaFell would sign with the Bengals in 2016.

On an inexplicably successful Bengals team in 2016, LaFell had another banner year. This time, he would bring down 64 receptions for 862 yards in his career’s second-best season. While he did fall off in 2017, his release came as a shock during this year’s training camp.

Although he would mainly be a bench player, LaFell’s possible Browns contract could make them one of the most consistent receiving teams in the NFL. Combined with Landry, LaFell’s knack for bringing down at least a moderate amount of passes cannot be ignored. He only has a few years left for his career, so it’s best that John Dorsey and the Browns get a jump on his contract, rather than miss an opportunity.