Cleveland Browns: 3 Wide Receiver options in upcoming Draft

The Cleveland Browns offseason rolls along as the NFL Combine is quickly approaching. Here are three wide receiver options for the draft.

With the Cleveland Browns last year spending a first-round pick on helping acquire Odell Beckham Jr., the likelihood of the Browns spending a first-round pick this draft on a receiver is likely zero. However, aside from Beckham and Jarvis Landry, the Browns wide receiver unit could use an upgrade. Here are three players the Cleveland Browns could target in this upcoming NFL Draft.

No.1: Michael Pittman Jr., USC

Michael Pittman Jr. is as talented of a wide receiver that there is in this draft class. Expected to be a second or early third-round selection, Pittman with his 6-foot-4 and 220-pound frame would be a big target for quarterback Baker Mayfield. He had a monster season with the Trojans in 2019 catching 101 balls for 1,275 yards and 11 scores.

Pittman has good route running ability although his speed has come into question, likely the reason why he is not considered a first-round talent. But with a healthy Odell Beckham on the outside and Landry running around in the slot, the need for Pittman to be a speed guy on this team is not great.

Understanding that, Pittman could just focus on being the best version of himself that he can be, and that would likely mean a very intriguing receiver option for head coach Kevin Stefanski to work with.

No. 2: K.J. Hill, Ohio State

K.J. Hill is one of the most polished and NFL ready receivers in this class. Being taught by one of the best receiver coaches in the country in Brian Hartline, Hill is able to run every route on an NFL route tree. He also leaves Ohio State as it’s all-time leader in receptions with 201.

Hill also dominated the Senior Bowl last month and one would expect him to do the same in Indianapolis for the combine. Hill would be a great fit for Stefanski’s offense as he could be used as a weapon on the outside or in the slot. He is a true first down machine, almost a mini version of Jarvis Landry. Also worth mentioning is that he has possibly the best set of hands amongst all the receivers coming out in this draft.

Currently, Hill is expected to go anywhere from the second to fourth rounds of the upcoming draft however as this pre-draft process rolls on don’t be surprised is he gets locked in as a second-round selection.

No. 3: Bryan Edwards, South Carolina

Bryan Edwards is South Carolina’s all-time leader in receiving yards at 3,045. More than that however is that he is just a really good player who is going to be selected in the middle rounds of this draft. Edwards has the size at 6-foot-3 and 215-pounds that you are looking for in a NFL receiver.

Edwards excelled at playing both on the outside and in the slot during his time in South Carolina. Also, according to TheDraftNetwork.com, Edwards is one of the most physical wide receivers in the years class, often out muscling his opponents for the ball. He has good hands, making several circus-style catches over his four seasons as a Gamecock.

Edwards could be a great option for the Browns in the fourth or fifth rounds. He may take some time to develop but the raw skill and physicality are there for Edwards to be a hidden gem.