The Cleveland Browns were tied to a number of wide receivers in the ramp-up to the NFL draft. Before the Deshaun Watson trade, most believed the team would select one with the thirteenth overall pick. Once that selection was traded, it was assumed that one of their first two picks would be receivers despite having traded for Amari Cooper.
Instead, Cleveland traded down out of the second round and waited until late in the third round to select David Bell out of Purdue. Bell has a skillset that may put him in a position to replace Jarvis Landry as the Browns slot receiver.
Later in the draft, Michael Woods II was added. A different style of receiver, Woods is more of an outside receiver with sideline skills. As a sixth-round pick, Woods’ isn’t a sure bet to make the team’s initial 53-man roster but would seem to have a strong chance.
Along with Cooper, Bell and Woods, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz, Ja’Marcus Bradley and Javon Wims are at the top of the team’s pass catcher depth chart.
WR Isaiah Weston was one of the more interesting undrafted free agents by the team. At 6’3″, Weston exploded at the NFL combine with a 4.42 40-yard dash to go along with elite traits in all the other measurables. His athletic score ranked seventh best out of all receivers since 1987.
At the FCS level, Weston outperformed Christian Watson, who was drafted near the top of the second round. It would not be shocking if Watson to Weston, not Woods, was seen more in 2022:
The 6’3″, 214-pounder verified his NFL potential when he blazed a 4.42 40-yard dash and jumped out of the gym with a 40-inch vertical and 11-foot, 3-inch broad jump. He perfectly fits the big-play sideline threat Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has grown used to maximizing in his time at Clemson and in Houston.
While Woods did get drafted, Cleveland added a big, fast lottery ticket, reportedly, as an undrafted free agent.