5 Senior Bowl wide receivers that should be on the Browns radar

We have officially entered the 2023 NFL draft cycle. All eligible prospects have declared and now it is time for the fun stuff. The Reese’s Senior Bowl practices kick off this Tuesday and there are plenty of prospects that are taking part that should be on the Cleveland Browns radar.

One thing that should be high on the Browns offseason wish list is a wide receiver. While Amari Cooper held down his spot as the team's bonafide No. 1 receiver, the Browns need another dynamic weapon in the receiver room. Last week, Deshaun Watson made his push for the Browns to sign Tee Higgins.

While acquiring the services of Higgins may be easier said than done, the need for another weapon for Watson is evident. The easiest place for the Browns to add talent to their wide receiver room will be the NFL draft. Luckily for Cleveland, this upcoming draft is chock-full of playmaking candidates at the position. Cleveland does have a competitive advantage in gathering intel on some of the receivers in Mobile, as Browns assistant Callie Brownson will serve as the wide receiver coach for the National team.

Five Senior Bowl receivers that should be on the Browns’ radar

WR No. 5: Johnny Wilson, Florida State University

Florida State’s Johnny Wilson will be the hardest wide receiver to miss at the Senior Bowl. Standing a reported 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 237 pounds, Wilson will be the guy towering over everyone in the American wide receiver group. But don't let that size fool you, Wilson isn't just some big-bodied receiver destined to be a tight end at the next level.

Wilson displays several qualities that NFL teams will covet. Obviously, it starts with his frame, but it's what he does with that frame that will lead to Wilson not escaping day two of the NFL draft. Wilson is excellent at catching the ball outside of his frame and excels when the play breaks down by coming back to the quarterback and shielding defenders at the catch point.

Despite his lanky frame, Wilson doesn't shy away from contact over the middle of the field. Combine his size with his straight-line speed and ball-tracking ability and it is easy to see why he was invited to the Senior Bowl. Wilson can potentially make himself a ton of money in Mobile if he can demonstrate the ability to consistently beat press man coverage and create separation.

WR No. 4: Roman Wilson, University of Michigan

The ability to create separation is paramount for smaller receivers in the NFL. Luckily for Michigan’s Roman Wilson, creating separation is his calling card. Wilson is one of the more diminutive receivers in Mobile this week. Wilson is listed at 6-foot-even and 193 pounds, but his college tape gives the impression that those numbers could be inflated in both categories.

However, Wilson’s skill set is not based on his size. Wilson shows incredible suddenness in his routes which is masked by the smoothness in which he transitions in and out of his breaks. There's no fat on the bone in Wilson’s route tree, every movement is precise, and he understands the importance of creating and maintaining leverage.

Wilson has the skills to win on the outside, but due to his size he will primarily be used as a motion-centric slot receiver at the next level. Like all smaller wide receivers, Wilson will need to prove that he can deal with longer corners that are effective at pressing at the line of scrimmage. The one-on-one portions of this week’s practices will be huge in determining if Wilson’s skills merit second-round consideration in the upcoming draft.

WR No. 3: Brenden Rice, University of Southern California

While Marvin Harrison’s son is getting all the publicity during this draft cycle, it is Jerry Rice’s son that the Browns should have their eye on this week at the Senior Bowl. Brenden Rice is a big play waiting to happen. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Rice has an opportunity to make a push to be a day-two prospect in Mobile this week.

Rice is a smooth glider that can take the top off a defense. He had six catches of more than 60-yards in 2023 for the Trojans. Averaging 17.6 yards per reception, Rice displayed traits that should make him a sought after X-receiver prototype at the next level.

Also, playing with Caleb Williams afforded Rice the opportunity to demonstrate his ability in scramble drill situations. Four of Rice’s 12 receiving touchdowns in 2023 came by way of being on the same page with Williams and extending plays during scramble situations. If Rice can show an improved release package during Senior Bowl practices this week it should make NFL scouts more comfortable with his skill set transitioning to the pros.

WR No. 2: Devontez Walker, University of North Carolina

Devontez Walker’s path to the Senior Bowl was full of detours. Walker transferred from Kent State to North Carolina prior to the 2023 season. However, his eligibility was denied by the NCAA due to a misclassification of his playing status while at North Carolina Central during the 2020 season in which he didn't play a single snap due to Covid.

Fortunately for Walker, cooler heads prevailed, and after sitting out of the Tar Heels first five games he was able to finally get on the field. Walker played in eight games in 2023 and averaged 17 yards per catch and scored seven touchdowns. Despite his paratrooping into the season, Walker was able to have an immediate rapport with Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye.

Walker’s ability to stretch the field and track the football are the hallmarks of his game. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he plays longer than his height would indicate but also appears lighter than his listed weight. Primarily used as a vertical threat, Walker will need to prove that he can sell and win on intermediate routes to be a complete receiver.

WR No. 1: Xavier Legette, University of South Carolina

No receiver at this week’s Senior Bowl practices will have more eyes on him than Xavier Legette. He could very well play, and test, himself out of the Browns scope of available prospects with his performance in Mobile, as well as later in Indianapolis. The variance of outcomes for Legette ranges from late-round one prospect to late-round two project.  

What we do know about Legette is that the young man is a specimen. Legette is listed at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds. Although there are reports coming out indicating that Legette will be closer to 6-foot-1 than his listed height.

However, what is not exaggerated is what the scouts will be paying the closest attention to, Legette’s game-breaking speed. While you can find things on Legette’s tape that do cause concern, one thing you will not find is him getting caught from behind. With the ball in his hands, Legette is the genuine article.

If Legette is such a phenomenal athlete, then why the discrepancy in the range of outcomes for the South Carolina native? Legette was a one-year wonder despite being at the University of South Carolina for five years. Up until his breakout season, where he caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns, Legette’s previous high in receptions was 18.

There is also the concern that Legette was not tasked with running anywhere near a full route tree. It was basically wide receiver screens or go routes for the speed merchant. But Legette could wash away a ton of those concerns with a stellar showing in Mobile this week and earn himself a ton of money in the process.

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