Dawgs By Nature
With minicamp over, trade rumors might start back up with Browns needing a wide receiver
If you could describe the current state of the Cleveland Browns wide receiver room, it’s rough after Jerry Jeudy. Jeudy is the only established veteran in a somewhat young yet talented and unproven room. Wide receiver Cedric Tillman has shown flashes but needs to show consistency and stay on the field, Diontae Johnson is on his last chance (maybe not literally) and the rest of the room is talented but lacks experience.
It’s a question of whether or not the Browns will try to improve the room via trade or bank on the internal growth. If you know how general manager Andrew Berry operates, he is proactive and is willing to attack a weakness on the roster.
If he chooses to address the room, these are the three receivers that come to mind.
We talked about him earlier this week.
It seems unlikely, but the Washington Commanders situation with wide receiver Terry McLaurin is one to monitor. McLaurin is entering the final year of his contract and is looking to be extended but so far negotiations haven’t gone well.
Considering how he is coming off an All-Pro season, it’s a bit of a surprise that the Commanders haven’t gotten any traction with a new deal. McLaurin is one of the more underrated receivers in the league and has produced multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Last year was a career one for McLaurin as he finally has stability at the quarterback position in rookie Jayden
Daniels. Reliable hands and solid route runner, McLaurin is underappreciated around the league. McLaurin hasn’t requested a trade yet, but if he does, don’t be surprised if Berry chooses to interject. Trading for McLaurin would be difficult considering his age and price range, but you never know.
Metchie was mentioned by Pro Football Network last week as a trade option.
If the Browns want to go cheap and look for a receiver that won’t cost as much, enter the Houston Texans wide receiver. Metchie, who missed his rookie season due to being diagnosed with leukemia, played sparingly in his sophomore season and now finds himself once again in a crowded WR room in Houston. He’s only 23 and he’s entering the final year of his contract, but Metchie has shown he has the ability to contribute. The issue is he tends to find himself in a room with receivers who are talented but just given more opportunities.
Metchie can occupy the slot (which is a glaring weakness) and he can find a way to contribute. A late-round pick would suffice if the Browns were to make a move.
This is more of a wild card. If you look at the Green Bay Packers wide receiver room, there is no clear WR1 but a lot of talent. It’s mostly 2’s and 3’s, but young guys who can develop.
We noted that...
