Cleveland Browns: Antonio Callaway cited for marijuana possession

Just days after being promoted to being a starting wide receiver, rookie Antonio Callaway was cited for marijuana possession.

The Cleveland Browns raised some eyebrows during the 2018 NFL Draft when they selected wide receiver Antonio Callaway in the fourth-round.

Callaway had first-round talent, but fell in the draft because of off-field concerns. Before Callaway could play his first game for the Browns, he has already had another off the field incident.

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According to Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland, Callaway was cited for marijuana possession on Sunday, the same day the team traded Corey Coleman.

"The day before, Callaway was stopped in his vehicle for a traffic violation at 2:59 a.m. by Strongsville police and cited for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license."

Callaway had many issues off the field and was suspended the entire 2017 season at the University of Florida. Callaway had been hanging around a career criminal, and received his suspension for his role in a credit fraud scheme.

More problems arose for Callaway when he failed his drug test at the NFL Combine for having a diluted sample. Callaway later admitted to smoking marijuana weeks before the NFL Combine.

Browns general manager John Dorsey took a big chance drafting Callaway with the concerns off the field. The team seemed to be hoping that he had learned his lesson, but if Grossi’s report is true, it seems that Callaway has not changed from his college days.

The team traded Coleman because of how well Callaway and Rashard Higgins have been playing during training camp. Following the trade of Coleman, Callaway has been playing with the first-team offense.

But if Callaway is going to receive discipline from the league for this incident, then the Browns are going to be very light on their wide receiver depth. And will also need to find another starting wide receiver.

With the team uncertain as to when Josh Gordon will return to the team and the possible discipline for Callaway coming from the league, the Browns may need to go out and sign or trade for another wide receiver.

It once again brings up the possibility of the Browns making a move on free agent Dez Bryant. It seems like both sides have flirted with the possibility of bringing the 29-year-old receiver to Cleveland, and Callaway’s incident could push the two sides to make a deal.

This incident with Callaway could create a problem for the Browns because of the possibility of losing Callaway to begin the season. But past that, it seems that taking a chance on his talent is not going to work out in the short-term for the Browns.