Dawgs By Nature
Before training camp, the Cleveland Browns had 13 receivers signed to deals. Those numbers have dwindled a bit with several players released or became injured. But the current lineup is still plenty full of roster hopefuls.
Traditionally, the Browns keep six receivers on the final 53-man roster. Three are most likely a lock: Jerry Jeudy, Ced Tillman, and Jamari Thrash. Diontae Johnson and DeAndre Carter have been discussed as the most likely from this group to remain, but neither is a definite and it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see them released and then signed for the practice squad. That leaves just one spot up for grabs.
RELATED: BROWNS ROSTER BUBBLE – LARVADAIN VS. DAVIS
And that spot has plenty of talent and competition that is still going on. Today’s exhibition game against the Philadelphia Eagles will narrow the list. Kisean Johnson inked a three-year deal worth $2.965 million. Gage Larvadain and Kaden Davis have been fighting it out. David Bell always remains a possibility.
From the beginning of training camp, everyone viewed Diontae Johnson as the Wild Card in this group. And now, a new contender has emerged: Isaiah Bond, undrafted rookie free agent out of Texas. Bond is due in Cleveland today to sign a contract and join the team next week.
Is Bond the answer to this year’s receiver group? And why Cleveland?
Immediately afterwards, Bond posted on Instagram that his future plans now include the Browns. While the exact number of NFL clubs that actively pursued him isn’t specific, it is clear that he had choices and decided that Cleveland was the best opportunity for him going forward.
Is he a roster lock? Not so fast. For one, he will have exactly one week and the final preseason game on August 23 against the Los Angeles Rams to prove he belongs. The Tuesday after the Rams matchup, the Turk shows up. That means that Bond has one week to study the playbook, practice with quarterbacks he has never played with before, learn new routes and terminology, and find out what the next level is about.
All of the other receivers that remain have been with the Browns since May. They went to OTAs and mini-camp and have been practicing and working in the heat all this time.
Overall, Bond averaged a third-round evaluation, which is still pretty good. He runs a 4.39 in the 40. He was the second-fastest player at the combine in terms of top speed, reaching 24.17 miles per hour.
As far as college stats, Bond had 14 starts at Texas with 34 receptions for 540 yards, five touchdowns, a 15.9 yards per reception average, four rushes for 98 yards, and a single rushing score. Does any of this scream “Rookie of the Year”?
He attended Alabama in his freshman and sophomore campaigns and had 27 starts with 65 receptions for 888 yards, five touchdowns, a 13.7 yards per reception average, one run for three yards. Nothing that says “future Pro Bowl” here either....
