Cleveland Browns don’t need to trade for a wide receiver

Do Cleveland Browns need to add another receiver?

The Cleveland Browns and Odell Beckham Jr. were dealt a significant blow when the news broke that the talented wide receiver’s season was over. Beckham tore the ACL in his left knee attempting to run down Darius Phillips after the Bengals’ defensive back picked off Baker Mayfield on his very first pass attempt of the game on Sunday. Now that it is official that Beckham’s season is over, how should the Browns approach the open spot in the wide receiver room?

It is this writer’s opinion that nothing needs to be done. As was on full display after Beckham’s injury, the cupboard is far from empty. While it is true that no one player on the Browns can match Beckham’s skill set, when you look at the unit as a whole, there are more than enough quality targets to get the job done.

The Browns are fully aware of what they have in Jarvis Landry. Juice is a tough as nails savvy receiver that can provide everything from highlight reel catches to doing the dirty work over the middle and as a blocker. Even while injured, Landry is someone that can be counted on to produce.

One thing that was apparent after Beckham exited the game was Rashard Higgins‘and Mayfield’s chemistry had not fizzled at all, it was simply put on the back burner. Mayfield threw the ball at Higgins six times, and all six were caught by Hollywood. Five of those catches resulted in first downs, and none were bigger than the two plays Higgins made on the Browns final drive. When Mayfield needed a play, it was Higgins he looked to.

Donovan Peoples-Jones emerged as an unlikely hero in the 4th quarter as well. Up until Beckham’s injury, Peoples-Jones was previously used primarily as a return specialist, and the limited number of offensive snaps he did have under his belt resulted in zero targets. However, in an all hands-on deck scenario, the rookie came up big when it mattered most. Look no further than the game winning touchdown that Peoples-Jones hauled in will eleven seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to prove that this stage is not too big for him. When you make plays like that, you earn more playing time. Peoples-Jones is going to be a player to watch in the second half of the season.

The Browns were also without their starting tight end, Austin Hooper, against the Bengals. Rookie Harrison Bryant was given the opportunity to fill Hooper’s shoes and he took full advantage of it. Bryant went ‘full Gronk mode’ on the Browns opening drive of the second half, showcasing the skills that made him too good to pass up on in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. The tight-end finished his day with two touchdowns and proved he has the ability to be a difference maker in the passing game and a problem for defenses in the red zone.

In Hooper’s absence, David Njoku also demonstrated his value, pulling in a pair of passes from Mayfield including a touchdown. Njoku’s athleticism was on full display on the scoring play. The fourth-year tight end took a seam route into the endzone, laid out and hauled in a perfectly placed ball to give the Browns their first lead of the afternoon. While his use in the passing game has been infrequent since his return from the Injured Reserve, he provides problems that defenses will have to account for when he’s in the game.

In addition to the wide receivers and tight ends that the Browns have at their disposal, they also have one of the best pass-catching running backs in all of the NFL in Kareem Hunt. Hunt’s ability in the passing game, both as a route runner and as a release valve, gives Mayfield another reliable target to move the chains. Hunt’s skills as a receiver are not his only contributions to the passing game, he is also outstanding in pass protection which is equally as valuable. Even when Nick Chubb returns (it is truly an embarrassment of riches) Hunt will still play a vital role in the offense’s success.

One receiving option that has not been available is KhaDarel Hodge. The special teams’ standout had carved out a role for himself as the third receiver in the offense prior to a hamstring injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. Hodge is eligible to return from the IR before the Week 8 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders and could provide yet another reliable target for Mayfield.

With the trade deadline approaching on November 3rd, many will be calling for the Browns to bring in another big-name wide receiver. They will cite the Browns need for someone who can ‘take the top off a defense’. While it is true that the Browns offense will miss the speed that Beckham brought to the table (Beckham was clocked at a 4.41 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine).

However, both Hodge and Peoples-Jones are more than capable of stretching a defense when called upon to do so. Hodge’s official 40-yard dash time was 4.39 and Peoples-Jones registered a 4.48 in Indianapolis. Neither wide receiver has the notoriety of Beckham, so defenses will not be as apt to give their cornerbacks help over the top until they prove to be deep threats. Peoples-Jones brings another frightening dimension to go along with his speed, the rookie has an insane leaping ability with a 44.5-inch vertical leap. Expect to see Peoples-Jones sent on a couple of nine routes on a weekly basis.

Don’t be surprised when the trading deadline comes and goes without general manager Andrew Berry adding another receiver to the Browns’ roster. There is enough talent in house that there is no need to panic and trade players or draft picks for another wide receiver. They have everything they need to succeed right in their locker room.