Cleveland Browns Receiver Corps Forming up
Last year, the Cleveland Browns were weak at the receiver position with Josh Gordon out. And Travis Benjamin, the one playmaker the Browns had there, is now a San Diego Charger. So this offseason, the Browns had their work cut out for them, trying to completely revamp the position.
In the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, they took Corey Coleman, a talented speedster out of Baylor. They went on to take Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins, and Jordan Payton in later rounds. And according to senior offensive assistant/wideouts coach Al Saunders, Terrelle Pryor is a factor
He told Cleveland Browns.com, “The season is yet to come here, but I know one thing: He’s improved by leaps and bounds. It’s really hard, that transition from the quarterback position to a wide receiver position, and the physical environment is so different.
“He’s being asked to do things that he’s never really been asked to do before. He’s got to make a lot of ground up in that way, but every day he gets better, he does something that really gives me room for optimism that he has a future at that position.”
“We’re really excited about him. He’s dedicated himself in the classroom, and his work ethic is better and better and better. His efficiency is better and better and better. I look forward to getting him in training camp and see where we can go from there.”
The 6-foot-5, 233-pound Pryor boasts freakish athletic ability, but nagging injuries and his adjustment made him a non-factor last season. Anything the Browns get from Pryor is a huge cherry on top as a Coleman will be asked to make plays right away.
And head coach Hue Jackson likes his chances, saying, “He’s a tremendous player. He’s going to be pretty good. I ride him pretty hard because he has so much ability and I want to get it out of him. He’s really shown why we drafted him in the first round.
“He is a tremendous talent. If he keeps working like he is and stays as humble and he has great desire to be a great football player, I think that’s going to happen for him.”
The other receivers the Browns drafted also have talent but the possible return of Gordon is huge. After failing a drug test in April, he will get another opportunity to get back in the NFL in August. If he passes, the Browns’ receiver corps can be among the most dynamic in the NFL.
It looks like the Browns are giving quarterback Robert Griffin III everything he needs to succeed.!