Browns rumors: Is Cleveland in a position to pass on Victor Cruz?

In Cleveland Browns rumors, head coach Hue Jackson said the team talked about the possibility of adding free agent receiver Victor Cruz.

When it comes to Browns rumors and the wide receiving corps, the rumor mill never seems to stop churning.

Depending on who you ask, the Browns’ receiving corps isn’t as good as it was in 2016. The team lost Terrelle Pryor, and added Kenny Britt to take his place. Pryor’s 2016 campaign marked his first full season at receiver, and he gained over 1,000 years receiving. Britt had 1,000 yards, too, in his eighth year as a pro.

Britt will be go into the year at No. 1, but the Browns are hoping Corey Coleman can take a big step in year two after a rather pedestrian rookie season that was slowed by a foot injury.

After Britt and Coleman, there’s a lot of unproven talent making up the receiving corps, which is why it was intriguing to hear Hue Jackson talk about Cleveland’s interest in Victor Cruz at a charity golf outing May 22, via ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi.

"Jackson confirmed the team has discussed the pros and cons of bringing in ex-Giants receiver Victor Cruz, 30, who is a free agent. Cruz came back in 2016 after two years rehabbing from a torn patellar tendon and then a calf injury. Cruz was able to play 15 games in 2016, starting 12, and had 39 receptions for 586 yards and one touchdown. “We’ve had discussions about any player out there, not just Victor, to see if they fit,” Jackson said. “We’re a young football team. We’re probably more young at [receiver] than anything and if we feel if a guy can help us, we’ll continue to explore those opportunities.”"

Cruz, who is an eight-year veteran, had his best season as rookie in 2011. He caught 82 passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. But since then, he’s steadily declined, and hasn’t had an 80-catch, 1,000-yard season since 2012.

At this point, the Browns shouldn’t be in a hurry to bring Cruz in (and it doesn’t appear they are judging what Jackson told the media).

At 6-foot, Cruz’s game relies on speed and quickness, and those attributes may just not be there for the 30-year-old.

The Browns would be better served letting 2016 draft picks Ricardo Louis, Rashard Higgins and Jordan Payton earn reps. The hope is that one of these players can become a dependable wideout.

Of these three players, Louis had the “best” rookie campaign, catching 16 passes for 205 yards. He brings size (6-2, 214) and speed to gridiron and possesses the ability to stretch the field.

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Higgins, a 6-foot-1, fifth-round pick, was active for all 16 games, but drew just 12 targets and had six receptions. Initial returns indicated he had problems separating from defensive backs.

Fellow fifth-round selection, Jordan Payon had just one reception for three years in 2016. His season was defined by a four-game PED suspension.

If Britt can come close to duplicating the type of season he had a season ago, and Coleman plays anything like a first-round pick, the Browns receiving corps might not be in as bad a shape as some predict. I make that statement knowing rookie tight end David Njkou will be a huge part of the offense. If just one of those second-year wideouts is even OK in 2017, the receiving corps will be in good shape.

Of course, you can’t predict injuries, and even if–there’s that word again–IF Britt, Coleman, Njkou and either Payton, Louis or Higgins show up and show out, there’s still not a lot of depth available.

Next: Peppers poised to hold out?

There’s always the Josh Gordon question, too, but the Browns aren’t counting on him. He’s suspended until he’s not, and there’s not a whole lot to say about him until his status changes.

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