Cleveland Browns’ Wide Receiver Group Set to Break Out
The wide receiver position has been a very annoying position for the Cleveland Browns since Braylon Edwards left, to say the least. Their top receiver is tight end Ben Watson, which isn’t a problem except for they want to be able to stretch the field more than Watson is capable of, and they haven’t had the receiver corps to do it.
Even with Pro Bowl return man Josh Cribbs looking for a role in the offense, the Browns don’t feel like he is best being used as a wide receiver, but more as a return man and wildcat runner. In fact, a recent column by the Cleveland Plain Dealer indicated that it is “doubtful” the Browns will use Cribbs much at all at the wide receiver position.
The Browns used a second round pick on former North Carolina wide receiver Greg Little this year, and they have also used some high picks in recent years on some other players that could make an impact this year–finally. This team has a stable of young guys who have been slowly developing, and most of them are big dudes with lots of potential, guys I really liked coming out of college.
Here’s a look at the Browns’ receiver group as it currently stands, and guys you can look for to make an impact in 2011.
11 Mohamed Massaquoi, Age 24
Massaquoi is a third year player from Georgia who has somewhat emerged as the top wide receiver option on the Browns, at least until he was bludgeoned by James Harrison against the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. He’s caught 70 passes over the last two seasons and is averaging almost 16 yards per reception. He is a big play threat and if the Browns open up the passing game this year, he could be a real sleeper for your fantasy football team. At 6’2″ 207 pounds, he’s a big guy with some speed in the open field.
80 Brian Robiskie, Age 23
The 6’3″ 209 pound Robiskie had a very pedestrian rookie season with only seven receptions, but he bounced back in his sophomore campaign and showed some playmaking skills, catching 30 passes (3 touchdowns) for 310 yards. I really liked Robiskie coming out of Ohio State, and I think year three could really be his year. The Browns will look to incorporate Greg Little in the offense a lot as well, but I think Robiskie could emerge as the top target in this offense.
18 Carlton Mitchell, Age 23
Mitchell only saw action on special teams as a rookie, but he has a fantastic combination of size and speed and was one of my favorite receiver prospects coming out last year. He is 6’3″ 215 pounds and runs in the 4.4’s, so he’s got a lot of physical ability. Now, he needs to put that all together and help the Browns’ passing game. He could be a really good receiver in the short area, with screen passes and quick slants with his size, speed, and quickness.
Little is obviously the Browns’ big, skilled rookie, but he has a lot of learning to do. While Little is a physically imposing receiver prospect, he has a lot of maturing to do as a player, and I think the Browns will look to bring him along slowly. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Marshall in the way he plays, so I could eventually see him being that kind of player, and he could quickly become Colt McCoy’s go-to receiver.
10 Jordan Norwood, Age 24
Norwood is the wildcard in all of this, but I remember watching this guy at Penn State and he could be a nice little developmental guy in the slot. He’s not a big receiver, but he’s got a ton of speed and can make things happen down the field.