Cleveland Browns: 3 intriguing small-school undrafted free agents
By Randy Gurzi
3. D.J. Montgomery, Wide Receiver, Austin Peay
Wide receiver has gotten a lot of attention the past two seasons for the Cleveland Browns as the talent there has really taken off. First, it was Jarvis Landry who came to the team but he was later joined by Antonio Callaway in 2018 Draft and then this season, Odell Beckham, Jr. landed in The Land as well.
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There’s also Rashard Higgins, Derrick Willies, and 2018 sixth-round pick Damion Ratley as well. Higgins played well last season and looks for more in 2019. Ratley showed plenty of speed and the big-bodied Willies flashed some big-play potential. In fact, there’s suddenly so much talent in the Cleveland receiving corps that Breshad Perriman backed out of a contract agreement and bolted for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so that he could get some pass targets this year.
All that makes it hard for anyone to make the team, but D.J. Montgomery will do his best. He comes from Austin Peay, in Clarksville, Tennessee, but started his career at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi. He caught the attention of Austin Peay while playing in Community College and developed into their top pass catcher.
In 2018, he had 797 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. He then had a great Pro Day, recording a 4.3 time in the 40-yard dash — as well as a 10-foot-7 broad jump.
Montgomery was limited in a run-heavy offense, but his speed and ability to make plays in the red zone could help him stand out as he tries to overcome the odds and crack the Browns crowded wide receiver roster.