Cleveland Browns: 3 lesser-known free agent targets in 2022
By Randy Gurzi
Cleveland Browns target No. 2: James Washington, WR
There’s no denying the Cleveland Browns need help at wide receiver. Jarvis Landry had the worst statistical season of his career and Rashard Higgins went from one of the top targets on the team to an afterthought at times in 2021.
On top of that, there was the whole Odell Beckham, Jr. fiasco that ended with him being released. With that all happening, Cleveland should be looking for a wideout in the 2022 NFL Draft — but they should also be willing to add talent in the free agency period as well.
If they do this, one player that could be a fit is James Washington who spent the past four seasons with the hated Pittsburgh Steelers. Washington, a second-round pick in 2018, came into the league with a lot of potential but has yet to truly live up to that.
He did flash in 2019 when he had 44 receptions for 735 yards and three touchdowns but outside of that, he’s been a bit of an afterthought in the Steelers’ plans. That doesn’t mean he can’t play, it’s more of an indictment of the depth they have in Pittsburgh.
Washington may never be a No. 1 target, and that’s fine, but he does have the ability to get deep and is a big-bodied receiver at 5-11 and 213-pounds. Adding him won’t break the bank and it would give Cleveland a player capable of keeping defenses honest as a potential third wideout behind a rookie draft pick and Donovan Peoples-Jones.