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Cleveland Browns: 5 Wide receivers worth drafting

By Nick Pedone

NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates his touchdown on a 63-yard pass and run with wide receivers Trejan Bridges #8 and Nick Basquine #83 in the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners lead 35-14 at the half. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 9: Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb #2 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates his touchdown on a 63-yard pass and run with wide receivers Trejan Bridges #8 and Nick Basquine #83 in the game against the Iowa State Cyclones on November 9, 2019 at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners lead 35-14 at the half. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Wide Receiver Van Jefferson #14 from Florida of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 25: Wide Receiver Van Jefferson #14 from Florida of the South Team during the 2020 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

2. Van Jefferson, Florida Gators

Here’s your Rashard Higgins replacement. Florida’s Van Jefferson is one of the smoothest route runners this class has to offer, and he can slide all the way to the third round. The Draft Network’s player evaluation of Jefferson has even compared him to Higgins.

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During his college days at Ole Miss and then Florida, Jefferson torched defensive backs out of their cleats regardless of what jersey he was wearing.

His routes have incredible timing and he always seems to find a way to get open and create separation. Additionally, the 6-foot-2 receiver is above average at tracking the ball in the air and making adjustments.

Oddly enough, the Browns would probably be drafting Jefferson near the prime of his athletic career as a receiver, as he will turn 24 years old before he takes his first NFL snap.

His college production was rather spotty, as he never had over 50 catches in any one of his four college seasons. He averaged 12.45 yards per reception throughout his college career along with 16 touchdowns.

The only “big” downside to Jefferson as a prospect is that he is likely at his athletic peak in terms of play speed. He’s not going to beat a defender on a straight route, instead, uses his footwork to get open. Like Higgins, Jefferson will likely thrive in short to intermediate throws.

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