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Which wide receiver should Cleveland Browns target with the 26th pick?

By J.T. Soderlund

Oct 31, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) celebrates after a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) celebrates after a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Oct 24, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Rashod Bateman (0) catches a pass in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Which 3 wide receivers should be on the Cleveland Browns radar?

The Cleveland Browns are selecting 26th overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. This draft has one of the best wide receiver classes that the league has seen in a long time. There could be as many as six or seven receivers who are selected in the first round.

This bodes well for the Browns since they have needs at wide receiver, specifically someone who has elite speed, can beat man coverage, and can gain yards after the catch.

Currently, the top three wide receivers on the depth chart are Odell Beckham Jr, Jarvis Landry, and Rashard Higgins. Landry and Higgins are good in their roles, but they do not have game-breaking speed. OBJ is fast but has struggled with injuries lately. He is also better served outside given the talent that the Browns currently have.

Since Cleveland is picking 26th, there is no chance that they could select one of the top-tier wide receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, or DeVonta Smith. But the second tier of wide receivers has some premiere talent.

The Browns should look towards Rashod Bateman, Rondale Moore, and Elijah Moore with their first-round pick as any of the three would instantly become the fastest wide receiver on the team.

But which wideout would be the best possible addition? Let’s find out.

3. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

When comparing Rashod Bateman to Rondale Moore and Elijah Moore it is important to note that he is the slowest of the three wide receivers. On his pro day, he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. This by no means makes Bateman slow, he is just slower than the two Moore’s. Anything less than 4.4-seconds is very fast.

What Bateman lacks in speed he makes up for with size and polish as a wide receiver prospect.

Bateman measured in at just over 6-foot-0 and 190 lbs. He’s noticeably bigger than the other two wide receivers who will be discussed later. Size is pivotal for receivers who are going to be catching passes underneath since he will be taking a lot of hits from linebackers and safeties.

The Minnesota product also has a significantly better route tree than the other two wide receivers in this article. Bateman was placed all over the field during his time in Minnesota where he was their best wide receiver. He might be the most NFL-ready wide receiver in the second tier.

Bateman would provide the Browns with much-needed versatility at wide receiver. His speed would garner the attention of defenses and open up the field for the rest of the offense. Adding Rashod Bateman to the Browns offense would have an instant positive impact.

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