3 wide receivers the Cleveland Browns can still target

The Cleveland Browns saw three of their targets get taken off the board.

If you were under the idea that the Cleveland Browns weren’t going to take a wide receiver, I hate to tell you, that seems rather unlikely right now. The Browns needed at least two options at the position, and one of them had to be an out-and-out number one option. With most of those now off the board, the Browns are likely to look into the draft for one.

Word is that the Packers and Buccaneers are franchise tagging Devante Adams and Chris Godwin, while the Chargers have re-signed Mike Williams to a massive deal. Those were three guys in most peoples’ top five free-agent wide receivers.

Then there was Calvin Ridley, a cut-prospect who got suspended for betting on games. While some fans don’t seem to get why this is against the rules, it is, and for good reason. Ridley’s now out for the year and also off the Browns’ radar.

So who’s left?

Three names the Cleveland Browns can still target this year.

Amari Cooper

The Cowboys are likely to release Amari Cooper, and while he’s not anywhere worth $20+ million, if the Browns can get him for around $11-13 million, then that’d be ideal. He’d give the Browns a fairly fast option at number one, and would allow the Browns a bit more creative freedom in the NFL Draft, with the team no longer needing a burner. That said, they should still add one even with Cooper just to be on the safe side.

Allen Robinson

The Browns would love to have an Allen Robinson on the team, but fans need to know that he isn’t a guy the team can rely on solely. A Robinson signing means the Browns would need to draft a receiver number one, as Robinson is barely more athletic than Jarvis Landry. He’s only a slight upgrade in talent but far more durable and hasn’t dropped off nearly as bad as Landry has. Still, not a game-breaker.

DK Metcalf

With the trade of Russell Wilson, and the fact half of their defense is about to get released (hello Bobby Wagner), the Seattle Seahawks are about to go into a rebuild. If they do this, then there is no player off-limits. If Wilson could get traded of all people, why not Metcalf? It’s not like they’re going to be competing anytime soon, this is a full tear down. It could take three or four seasons, and at that point, Metcalf would be 28. The Seahawks would be wise to capitalize on his value and youth now and make and make a deal. He’s a bit inconsistent despite his size, so anything more than a first and a third seems much. Though a first, a third, a fourth, and even a fifth could be negotiated as long as they were in different drafts. No team should give up anymore for Metcalf, especially not when you can find a player as talented as him in the draft. The reason you make the trade instead of the draft choice is that you know what Metcalf is, while the receiver is still an unproven commodity with high-upside.