The Browns wide receiver room has seen a pretty big overhaul since last season. Odell Beckham Jr. was jettisoned during last season, Rashard Higgins signed with the Carolina Panthers and now Jarvis Landry, who after turning down a 1-year deal from the Browns, has signed with his hometown New Orleans Saints.
A lot of Browns fans were hoping for the return of Landry in 2022. While his production has dropped, Landry has been the heart and soul of the Browns since arriving in a trade from Miami in March of 2018. His presence on and off the field in Cleveland will be missed.
So where does that leave the Browns wide receiver room? Let's take a look at the options they currently have on the slate for the 2022 season at the position.
Amari Cooper
This past March the Browns traded a 2022 5th round pick and a swap of sixth round picks to Dallas for Amari Cooper. He is set to be the #1 receiver for Deshaun Watson in the Browns new revamped offense. After two straight 1,000 yard seasons in 2019 & 2020, his production dipped a bit in 2021 with 865 yards but he did have 8 touchdowns and has averaged 7 touchdowns per season the past 3 years. The 4-time Pro Bowler should be a great fit in the Browns offense.
Donovan Peoples-Jones
After showing some promise in his rookie year with Cleveland in 2020, many people expected a breakout season from Peoples-Jones in 2021. He only managed 42.6 YPG in 2021 as the deep threat. Some of this was due to the inconsistent play at QB the Browns experienced last season. Peoples-Jones should pair well with Watson and hopefully unlock his potential in 2022. As it stands he is listed as the WR2.
Anthony Schwartz
Speedster Anthony Schwartz had a disappointing rookie season after the Browns selected him in the 3rd round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In 14 games he managed only 10 receptions for 135 yards after starting the season with 69 yards in the opener at Kansas City. His 2021 season was plagued by injuries and inconsistencies. The Browns have high hopes for Schwartz in 2022 as a speed threat from the slot position.
David Bell
The Browns selected Bell in the 3rd round (99th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. The 2021 Big Ten WR of the Year had 93 receptions for 1,286 yards and 6 touchdowns last season at Purdue. What he lacks in speed he makes up for in superior route running skills and great hands. He looks to be in for a big role as the potential WR3 and starter at the slot position. Bell will be asked to help fill the void of the departed Landry.
Ja' Marcus Bradley
Bradley was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Louisiana in 2020 and has spent the last two seasons in Cleveland. He has been productive in his short stints on the field with the Browns accumulating 9 receptions for 124 yards in limited time. He has 2 years experience in his favor and will compete for the 5th or 6th WR spot on the roster.
Michael Woods II
The Browns selected Woods in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In his 3-year NCAA career with Arkansas and Oklahoma, Woods had 100 receptions for 1,442 yards. He is another guy who does not have blazing speed but is a good route runner with good hands. Woods will compete for the 5th or 6th WR spot.
Jakeem Grant
The Browns signed Grant to a 3-year, $13.8M deal in free agency. Don't expect to see Grant lineup at WR much if at all in 2022. He was signed to boost the return game which is his specialty. He is coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2021 as the top return man in the NFL. He does have 100 career receptions so you could potentially see the Browns try to utilize his speed in the offense.
Javon Wims
Wims was drafted in the 7th round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Bears. In 3 seasons with Chicago he had 28 receptions for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has good size at 6-2, 221 lbs but is a longshot to make the Browns roster at this point.
The Browns signed three undrafted free agents after the draft in Isaiah Weston, Mike Harley and Travell Harris. Of the three Weston is the most intriguing. He is 6-3, 214 lbs and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine. He has all the traits you look for in a WR but did not get drafted. The knocks on him are that he played at a small school in Northern Iowa and he will turn 25 this year. At the FCS level he outperformed Christian Watson who was a 2nd round pick in this years draft. He could be a sleeper for the 5th or 6th WR spot on the roster.
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