Cleveland Browns: Can Breshad Perriman continue career resurgence?

The Cleveland Browns have received surprising contributions from wide receiver Breshad Perriman since the coaching changes, and it could be turning his career around.

When the Cleveland Browns signed wide receiver Breshad Perriman prior to their Week 6 game, they were making the move out of necessity.

The Browns had lost Rashard Higgins to an injury the week before. Then, they also lost Derrick Willies, Higgins’ replacement, to a season-ending injury during the lead up to their Week 6 game against the Chargers.

Needing to find a wide receiver to add depth, the Browns made the move to sign Perriman. Perriman was cut by the Baltimore Ravens during final cut-downs in September. He worked out for multiple teams, but was never able to find a long-term landing spot.

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Even after signing with the Browns and the dearth of healthy wide receivers, Perriman was struggling to find much playing time in Cleveland. That was until the Browns made the decision to fire Hue Jackson and Todd Haley.

Since Freddie Kitchens became the Browns offensive coordinator, Perriman has seen his role expand in the offense. Although he is not a featured receiver, he has been playing more snaps, including playing 54.7 percent of the Browns offensive snaps in their Week 12 match-up against the Bengals.

In 2018, Perriman has caught 10 of his 15 targets for 188 yards. After struggling with drops during his time with the Baltimore Ravens, Perriman has yet to drop a pass this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Under Kitchens, the Browns have been picking their moments to use Perriman. He would come in during spot duty, but never seemed to be a huge part of the game-plan.

That changed during the Browns game against the Carolina Panthers, as the Browns took a shot with Perriman on their first play from scrimmage. Off of play-action, Baker Mayfield completed a 66-yard pass to Perriman, which almost resulted in a touchdown if Perriman could have kept his feet.

Later on in the game, the Browns were stuck inside their own five-yard line. Instead of just running the ball to gain room to punt, Kitchens decided to call a roll-out pass. Mayfield ran deep into his end-zone, but was able to find Perriman for a 12-yard gain.

Perriman becoming a reliable wide receiver has been a big surprise for the Browns offense. So much so that he has a chance of becoming a bigger part of the Browns game-plan.

Since trading away Josh Gordon, the Browns have lacked a true vertical threat. Antonio Callaway was meant to fill that role, but before the past couple of games, he was struggling to make an impact for the Browns. Perriman has the chance to become the vertical threat the Browns offense has lacked this season.

Perriman has top-end speed that makes it extremely difficult for defenders to contain him down the field. Now that he has gained confidence and improved his hands, Perriman is showing the potential that made him a first-round selection.

Should Perriman continue to become a bigger part of the game-plan, he has a chance of becoming a player that teams covet. For the Browns, his ability to stretch the field is exactly what the offense has needed all season.

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Perriman has turned his career around and it is starting to pay off for the Browns. His performance may have earned him a contract next season, and the Browns should consider making him a part of team next season, and potentially beyond.

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