Not too good for the Browns

With four different starting quarterbacks in the postseason in 2023, the Browns demonstrated why they are thought to have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL.

Here’s why Cleveland’s wide receiver room is far more worrying than the organization would like to think, though.

The Browns did not have a wide receiver surpass 650 yards receiving in 2023, with the exception of Amari Cooper (1,250 yards). In fact, tight end David Njoku (882 yards) was their second-best receiver, trailing only Cooper.

Given that Cooper will be 30 this summer and enter the final year of his contract in 2024, that raises concerns about the room’s future. Cleveland needs to locate a trustworthy No. 2 wide receiver to complement Cooper and possibly replace him in the future.

But that’s not going to be simple. According to Pro Football Focus, the Browns have $19.5 million more in salary cap space going into 2024. They therefore probably won’t be able to target any of the top-ranked wide receivers that could be available as free agents, like Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, and Michael Pittman Jr.

To exacerbate the situation, Cleveland’s 2022 trade for quarterback Deshaun Watson cost them their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Therefore, unless there is a trade up, the team will have to wait until day two to bring another rookie into the mix.

However, the Browns’ recent investments in their wide receiver room through the draft haven’t paid off. Cedric Tillman and David Bell, two wide receivers they selected with their second-round picks the previous two years, combined for just 35 receptions for 391 yards and three touchdowns in 2023.

Cleveland also acquired Elijah Moore last summer by trading a second-round pick. However, the former second-round selection fell short of the projected performance once more, managing just 59 receptions for 640 yards and two scores.

Without a doubt, the Browns have made every effort to provide Watson with the greatest possible arsenal of weapons. Cleveland might be a year away from ruining everything, though, given that Cooper is one more year older, there isn’t much draft cash available, and the team has a poor history of choosing quarterbacks.