The Cleveland Browns did a good job of upgrading the weapons around Deshaun Watson this offseason. In need of help behind wide receivers Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones, general manager Andrew Berry went out and made some moves.
The Browns acquired 2021 second-round pick Elijah Moore from the New York Jets, who requested a trade last year but nothing came to fruition. The team also selected Cedric Tillman out of Tennessee in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Those four and 2022 third-round pick David Bell make up a deep, talented group of wide receivers. The passing game should be much more dynamic with those players and with Watson shaking off more of the rust after an extended absence.
But, the Browns may not be done upgrading their wide receiver position. There has been some buzz recently that Cleveland could be where free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins ends up.
Hopkins was recently released by the Arizona Cardinals after they failed to find a trade partner willing to make a deal centered around him. His market hasn’t been as robust as many people thought it would be, which could result in a team such as the Browns getting into the race and coming away the victors.
One of the biggest draws Cleveland has for Hopkins would be Watson. The two were a dynamic duo with the Houston Texans for their time together and reuniting with the Browns would give them one of the best skill position groups in the NFL.
Recently, Cooper was asked about what a Hopkins signing could mean for the team. The No. 1 receiver provided an answer that shouldn’t be too surprising as he is the consummate professional.
“I didn’t see that, but who wouldn’t?” Cooper said on June 6 when asked about Watson’s comments on Hopkins. “DeAndre has been a very great player in this league. Obviously, they have a lot of great chemistry. If I was him, I’d want the same thing.”
Cooper and Hopkins would be an excellent pairing for Watson to work with in the passing game. The complementary weapons around them are certainly good enough to take advantage of the opportunities that will be given to them.
When you add in a dominant run game led by Nick Chubb, Kevin Stefanski and his staff could get really creative with their scheming and play calling. Any time you can add a player of Hopkins’ caliber, it is a move that needs to be discussed. The team’s current No. 1 receiver in Cooper being on board, despite his role potentially being diminished, is even better.
