3 Cleveland Browns trade targets ahead of Week 1
By Randy Gurzi
2. Richie James, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
Cleveland felt they were going to have one of the better return games in the NFL this season when they signed Jakeem Grant, who made the Pro Bowl last season as a returner despite splitting time between the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears.
Grant was also getting some work in as a receiver and was winning the trust of Deshaun Watson. Unfortunately, he suffered an Achilles injury that ended his season before it began. With him sidelined, they can turn to Demetric Felton or D’Ernest Johnson, but there have been rumors they were looking for another player capable of running back kicks and punts.
Jalen Reagor was one player mentioned but he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, so that’s not happening. However, they could still find someone with some experience such as Richie James of the New York Giants.
James was a seventh-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers back in 2018 and had 373 yards as a punt returner as well as 1,081 yards returning kickoffs with one touchdown.
https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1074415325553188864?s=20&t=VynTd14u2_b5rjDubJoLdw
He’s also had some decent games as a pass-catcher including a Week 9 game in the 2020 season against Green Bay. While the 49ers lost the contest, James stepped up for a team with several injuries at the position and had nine receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.
He missed the entire 2021 campaign due to a knee injury and is currently deep on the Giants’ depth chart, making it worth a call to see if he’s available.