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Receivers Cleveland Browns should target in the 2022 NFL Draft

By Colin Damms

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) catches a pass from Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and would run for a touchdown with Maryland Terrapins linebacker Terrence Lewis (0) trailing during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on October 9, 2021.Osu21mary Bjp 1419
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) catches a pass from Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and would run for a touchdown with Maryland Terrapins linebacker Terrence Lewis (0) trailing during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on October 9, 2021.Osu21mary Bjp 1419 /
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Cleveland Browns
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) celebrates a 33-yard touchdown catch during the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Ohio State won 49-27. /

The Cleveland Browns need help at wide receiver, and these incoming rookies could answer the call

It’s never too early to talk about the NFL Draft, is it?

Though it’s several months away, and the Cleveland Browns are only midway through the 2021 season, the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. has moved the wide receiver position up the list of needs for the 2022 offseason.

The looming decision on Jarvis Landry once his contract becomes free of dead money and the uncertainty that comes with Rashard Higgins signing 1-year at a time deals could mean there will be 3 receivers to replace in free agency and the NFL Draft.

This piece isn’t a comprehensive study of each receiver prospect, nor a ranking of them in terms of ability, but will give a brief overview of what makes them stand out and where the Browns will likely need to be to pick them.

Chris Olave Projected: Early 1st Round

Let’s start with who will likely be the hardest to land. Ohio State has enjoyed the talents of Chris Olave for longer than expected. After breaking out against that team up north in 2018 many predicted Olave would be heading to the league as soon as he was able, but after a couple of playoff runs with now Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields Olave remains a Buckeye.

He skipped on entering a crowded wide receiver class in the 2021 NFL Draft and is now set to enter alongside teammate Garrett Wilson (more on him later).

Olave is a terrific route runner. His speed and ball tracking make him a lethal yards after catch or deep ball threat, but he also excels in winning contested catches. He and Wilson have been an enormous help for the development of freshman starter C.J. Stroud this season, and Olave’s record-setting touchdown haul and average of around 16 yards per catch show he’s not just a dink and dunk receiver. He’s been a star in Ryan Day’s offense since his first meaningful appearance and helped transform it into more of a pass-first offense in his time as a Buckeye.

Olave could provide the kind of production that the Browns dreamed but only caught glimpses of from OBJ. Unfortunately, Olave will be in high demand, and it would probably take a trade to move up in order to land him. He’s top-15 overall on most big boards, but the rising stock of other receivers could tempt teams further up the draft.

There’s also the added benefit of teams further up the draft board usually having more pressing needs than receiver. This is a deep class for pass rushers and offensive linemen, both huge positional needs for a lot of bad teams, and of course, there is always a run on quarterbacks, even though 2022 is not producing a lot of standouts. Olave could be there for the taking in the 20s, and it’s safe to say most Browns fans would love the team taking a Buckeye who can play at this high a level.

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