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Cleveland Browns’ draft prospect scouting report: Anthony Miller

By Sam Penix

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 01: Anthony Miller
OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 01: Anthony Miller /
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Help at wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns could come from arguably the best WR in the American Athletic Conference.

The Cleveland Browns desperately need help at wide receiver. Although Josh Gordon was arguably the league’s best receiver in 2013, he can’t be relied upon to consistently be available due to his multiple suspensions.

Gordon’s performance last season was encouraging, even in the face of sub-par QB play.

Corey Coleman has underachieved since being selected 15th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. A mix of injuries drops, and inexperience has rendered Coleman mostly ineffective. It seems that every time he appears to finally be “getting it”, he gets hurt and is out for half the season.

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Rashard Higgins ended the season on a high note, catching three passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Aside from that, however, he hasn’t made much of an impact in his first two years and was even cut after the preseason and signed to the practice squad.

Ricardo Louis has the physical tools to be a good player. The problem though is he can’t catch. Despite being targeted 61 times, he only made 27 catches and was credited with five drops.

The rest of the position group experienced quite a bit of turnover throughout the season, with names such as Jordan Leslie, Kasen Williams, and Bryce Treggs coming and going. It’s clear that general manager John Dorsey needs to reinvigorate the receiving corp.

Related Story: Browns scouting report: RB Royce Freeman

One way to do this is to sign a free agent wide receiver. Big-name players such as former Brown Terrelle Pryor, Sammy Watkins, Jarvis Landry, and Allen Robinson are expected to hit the market and will command large contracts.

While adding one of these players could be an instant fix, there is always the chance of another Kenny Britt situation. The Browns may be gun-shy of going this route.

Fortunately for Cleveland, this draft class looks to be loaded with wide receivers. From the first round through the fifth, starting-level players can be found.

One such player is Memphis’, Anthony Miller. Miller, a senior, is the Tigers’ all-time leading receiver, hauling in 96 passes for 1,462 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. In 2016, his stats were almost identical; 95 catches, 1,434 yards, 14 touchdowns.

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Miller’s outstanding and consistent production project him as a somewhat safe draft pick.

Miller stands 5’11” and weighs 190 lbs. He is expected to run a 40-yard dash time of around 4.45 seconds. While playing, Miller is extremely quick and is able to change direction on a dime. With the ball in his hands, he displays great vision and can take a screen pass and break a big gain off of it.

Miller’s size makes him appear as a slot receiver, and while he is exceptional there, he also has the ability to be effective on the outside. He has the speed to go deep, as evidenced by his yards per catch average of 15.1 yards. Miller’s hands are incredible, and his jump ball technique is admirable. A football cliche is that a player “plays bigger than his size”, and Miller embodies this perfectly.

A sub-six foot, speedy wide receiver who can play the slot and boundary with fantastic production; sound familiar? Miller’s pro comparison is the Pittsburgh Steelers’, Antonio Brown.

Both played for smaller D1 schools in college and both are 5’11”. In addition, according to nfldraftscout.com, Brown ran his 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds, while Miller is epxected to run a similar time. They have him projected at 4.53.

This comparison is not a hyperbole. Miller really is that talented and has pro bowl potential in the NFL.

On top of his great on-field performance, Miller is the kind of person and leader that NFL teams adore. He exemplified toughness while battling through multiple injuries throughout his career, and his teammates have only good things to say about the former walk-on.

Miller is expected to be drafted in the early second round but could increase his stock with a good performance in the 2018 Senior Bowl. The Browns own picks 33 and 35, and if Miller is available there, Cleveland would be wise to select him.

Slotting Miller in between Coleman, Gordon, and David Njoku would suddenly give the Browns a formidable passing game, provided they have a QB who can run the offense.

Next: 5 FAs the Browns must target

Wide receiver may not be the Browns’ biggest need at the top of the draft, but that’s alright, because the best player for them may be available later on.

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