The Cleveland Browns have not had a good off-season when it comes to wide-receivers. In fact you could go back to last year when it all started. Davone Bess was a draft day trade and wound up suspended by years end after an airport detention and posted pictures smoking what looked to be pot. Bess would be the Browns minor problem.
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The suspension of wide-receiver Josh Gordon took the Browns by surprise when it was reported in May that Gordon could face a season long suspension following a second drug test failure. The Browns failed to address the wide-receiver position in May’s draft and suddenly found themselves short at the position. Gordon would later get arrested for DUI.
The Browns currently feature a slew of wide-receiver cast offs from other teams and most recently added former Miami Dolphins wide-receiver Marlon Moore. In addition to Moore, Nate Burleson, Andrew Hawkins, Anthony Armstrong, and former Dallas standout Miles Austin make up the veteran bulk of the Browns roster.
None of those players are top receivers at this stage of their career and all of them could easily be relegated to slot or back-up rolls, at best number two wide-outs. The Browns will need to make some roster moves if they want to enter the season with better production expectations from this group.
Jason LaCanfora of CBS sports is saying that the Browns wide receiver group lacks height and that will be an issue for the team moving towards the start of the season. LaCanfora expects the Browns to be active in the free agent market.
"“Expect the Browns to be as active as any team in the NFL exploring receivers on the waiver wire and I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see them among those pursuing CFL standout Duron Carter (son of Hall of Famer Chris Carter), once his season in Montreal is complete,” said LaCanfora."
New general manager Ray Farmer has his work cut out for him and had Gordon’s issues come a few weeks earlier the Browns may have had time to alter their draft plans. Instead the team is in need of help and the sooner the better.