Cleveland Browns not likely to sign Cecil Shorts

Cecil Shorts will likely not sign with the Cleveland Browns.

It truly is no secret that the Cleveland Browns are in the market for a wide receiver. With Josh Gordon, their top receiver, suspended for another year, the Browns need help at the wide receiver position and although Miles Austin and Andrew Hawkins exceeded expectations in 2014, the Browns can’t rely on those two to replicate the success they had this past season.

With that being said, the Browns have been active in their search for a wide receiver. One of the players they were originally interested in was Cecil Shorts, however, it has now been reported that the Browns will likely not sign him.

Tony Grossi, who is the Browns beat writer for ESPNCleveland was asked a question on his Twitter of the chances the Browns sign Shorts. His answer was pretty clear and the answer just goes to show that the Browns are not likely to sign Shorts.

“@KevinMarcinick: Chances the Browns sign Cecil Shorts? // I say slim.
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) March 4, 2015

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In terms of production, Shorts’ statistics really have been limited over the past few years as he has played in a quarterback wasteland with the Jacksonville Jaguars since he was drafted in 2011. Considering that Shorts grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area and the Browns’ overall need for a receiver, the idea of Cleveland signing Shorts made a ton of sense. However, with their beat writer saying the chances are slim, it has to be said that the Browns are likely looking in another direction.

Now whether that direction is through the draft or free agency is yet to be determined, but there are players in both that can be good fits on this roster. In free agency, Randall Cobb is clearly the sexy target, but guys like Brian Hartline and Michael Crabtree would fit as well. In the draft, the Browns could easily select a player like Kevin White. Regardless, the Browns are picking the right time to bring in a new wide receiver or two. Not signing Shorts isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it shows that the Browns have bigger plans.

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