Cleveland Browns: Who has inside track on final 2 WR spots?

The battle for the Cleveland Browns’ final two wide receiving jobs are said to be wide open. Here’s how the battle is shaking out and who might have the edge.

Cleveland Browns’ receivers get plenty attention with Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry sitting atop the depth chart, but there are two open wide receiver positions open, assuming Beckham, Landry, Antonio Callaway and Rashard Higgins round out the first four spots.

So where does the battle for the final two roster spots stand?

It’s a competition that still really wide open, according to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, who talked about the corps during an appearance on TheLandonDemand.com (subscription).

Damion Ratley really looked to have a beat on grabbing the fifth spot, but a hamstring injury has left the door open for every else.

"“They’re not holding any jobs open for these guys,” Grossi said."

The Browns recently released (injury designation) Blake Jackson, the Division III quarterback, leaving Derrick Willies, Jaelan Strong, Ishmael Hyman and even local product Dorian Baker to fight it out. That’s how wide open the competition in, as Grossi noted that even Baker is still in the running.

One would think that either Strong or Willies would have to be in contention for one of the spots, just because the Browns are relatively small at receiver, with the exception of Higgins.

Strong made a stellar touchdown grab at camp Aug. 2, a reception that even seemed to get general manager John Dorsey excited. Strong, a former third-round pick of the Texans, has been relatively quiet throughout the early going, but he is working his way back from ACL injury.

Hyman made a name for himself in minicamp, and benefited greatly from OBJ and Landry sitting out.

With the competition being so close, if Dorsey had to pick the schedule today, I think he would keep Willies and Ratley.

Ratley was taken 175th overall by the Browns in the 2018 draft, and considering the front office’s past history with the Packers and wideout development, Elliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith probably aren’t ready to move on from the Texas A&M product.

Willies became a favorite of Todd Haley last preseason and remarkably went from going undrafted to getting himself on the active roster. He made three big catches against the Browns’ home win against the Ravens last season, all the while displaying chemistry with Baker Mayfield before a shoulder separation cut his rookie season short.

• And while we’re talking receivers, there was that recent story from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio on Callaway stuck with the second team on the depth chart.

Since, it’s been reported Callaway reported to camp out of shape and he had to pay a penance.

Expect to see Higgins and Callaway be interchangeable at the No. 3 wideout spot because they both offer different skillsets.

Higgins is a bigger target who can go across the field, while Callaway can stretch the defense vertically. Imagine Callaway as the “X” receiver lining up just of OBJ’s hip on the outside. That’s a lot of speed.

Don’t look for Callaway to rack up 1,000 receiving yards, there just aren’t enough balls to go around. However, do look for him to be an impact player. He was thrust into the fire as a rookie and overcame. Bigger things are expected out of the the 2018 fourth-round pick and rightfully so.