The Cleveland Browns enter the 2022 offseason with a relatively strong roster. A few tweaks here and there and this could be a team challenging for a playoff spot again next season.
Most of the attention this offseason will be given to the quarterback position, and rightfully so. If Cleveland had received better production from Baker Mayfield, they could be where the Cincinnati Bengals are right now. There were many people who believed the Browns were a dark horse Super Bowl contender, but instead, it is their AFC North rivals taking part in the game.
While Mayfield has received some flack, and rightfully so, he did suffer a shoulder injury last season that likely hampered his performance. Regardless of who is under center, the front office needs to add some juice to this offense and upgrade the pass catchers.
The Odell Beckham Jr. trade did not work out as planned and this has turned into one of the least uninspiring wide receiver groups in the NFL. They need an upgrade in the worst way and luckily for them, there are a ton of options available this offseason.
Here are three wide receivers the Browns should pursue this offseason whether it is in free agency, via trade or in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Cleveland Browns need to upgrade the wide receiver position this offseason. If they are looking for a bonafide No. 1 option that could come at a bit of a discount in free agency, look no further than Allen Robinson.
Robinson had the worst season of his career in 2021, catching only 38 passes for 410 yards and one touchdown in 12 games. Despite that, Robinson should still be looked at as an elite wide receiver on this market.
He has produced during his NFL career despite having some underwhelming options throwing him the ball. He has three 1,000+ yard seasons in his career despite catching passes from Blake Bortles, Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles during them. While Baker Mayfield has been underwhelming, he could be by far the best quarterback Robinson will have been paired up with in his career.
Robinson is a legitimate No. 1 target and should be near the top of the Browns free agent list this offseason.
There may be some people within the Browns organization scorned from how much of a disaster the Odell Beckham Jr. trade was. Things didn’t work out and it clearly wasn’t on Beckham, who has been excellent with the Los Angeles Rams.
There could be some hesitancy to go the trade route again, but the Browns should dive headfirst if there is a possibility to acquire Calvin Ridley. Ridley left the Atlanta Falcons and missed the final 12 games of 2021 as he looked to improve his mental health, so there are some question marks about his future. However, there is no doubting his talent once he is on the field.
Ridley had a breakout 2020, stepping into the No. 1 receiver role with Juliu Jones banged up. He caught 90 passes for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. He was ascending toward being one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
There would be some risk involved, but if the Falcons move Ridley for draft compensation because of their salary cap situation, Cleveland should be aggressive. He would fix a lot of their problems in the passing offense.
1. Garrett Wilson
If the Browns strike out in free agency and on the trade market, they can turn to the 2022 NFL Draft to fill the void in their wide receiver room. With the No. 13 overall pick in the draft, they are in a great position to land one of the top pass catchers in this year’s class.
If Garrett Wilson from Ohio State is still on the board when the Browns come on the clock, he very well could be their pick. Even if they sign a player in free agency, it may not deter them from selecting a wide receiver such as Wilson.
Wilson was excellent in 2021 with the Buckeyes, catching 70 passes for 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns, registering a PFF grade of 84.1. He would provide a spark to a passing game that is lacking one.
Adding him to a group that has Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashad Higgins would help whoever is playing quarterback for the team in 2022.
