Cleveland Browns: A top wide receiver is needed, but don't expect an addition soon

As the old saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Just like the Cleveland Browns’ rebuild, many wants it to be completed sooner rather than later.

Since bringing in Hue Jackson as the new Cleveland Browns head coach, the momentum has moved forward. Sure, his first offseason and regular season was rough, but the regime needed to remove what did not factor into their future.

If you look at Jackson’s past offenses, Cleveland’s offense has more players now that fits what he wants to do. Like with the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland now has a dominate offensive line. In addition, Cleveland hopes to have the Bengals’ equivalent to Tyler Eifert at tight end in David Njoku.

The quarterback position remains a question mark in NE Ohio. The Bengals have a solid option in Andy Dalton, but hopefully DeShone Kizer (long-term and not in 2017) is even better. Jackson also likes to run the ball and will continue to do so with Isaiah Crowell this fall and maybe with others later on.

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The Browns added wide receiver Kenny Britt to go along with former first round pick and fellow wideout Corey Coleman. However, neither are really true number one wide receivers. Instead, both are best viewed as twos, but Coleman may be best used in the slot.

The offense is getting there in Cleveland, but one glaring piece remains. The Browns need their number one wide receiver. They need what Jackson had in Cincinnati with A.J. Green.

Britt is not that guy, and Coleman has potential. However, he so injury proned it is not even funny. Expecting him to be that type of player would not be fair.

Cleveland had to gut the roster to make the best possible long-term moves for the franchise. Eventually the Browns will add their Green to the offense. Once they do, look out! Until then, Cleveland will continue to make strides, but it is still going to take some time.

If the right additions are made next offseason and additional progress is made in 2018, there is no excuse for the Browns to not be in the hunt (at the very least) for a playoff spot in 2019.

Njoku is going to surprise people early and often. As he gets used to the NFL game, it won’t be long before those who doubts him will believe that he solidified that position.

Next: How does Pryor fit on defense?

There is a lot of work to be done still with Cleveland’s roster. Assuming they can figure out a solution post 2017 at running back, pairing up Britt and Coleman with a top wide receiver in the 2018 draft would position the Browns greatly on offense for years to come. Two players who could be the next Green to keep in mind are Alabama’s Calvin Ridley and SMU’s Courtland Sutton.

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Cleveland Browns: A top wide receiver is needed, but don’t expect an addition soon

By Ryan Rosko | Jun 11, 2017

As the old saying goes “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Just like the Cleveland Browns’ rebuild, many wants it to be completed sooner rather than later.

More from Factory of Sadness