The Cleveland Browns have some work to do this offseason when it comes to upgrading their roster. A lot of focus will be put on improving areas of their defense, specifically the front seven, as they struggled to stop the run and consistently get after the quarterback. Myles Garrett had 16 sacks, and the rest of the team had 18 combined.
That will likely be the main focus for the team, as a lot of the issues offensively are fixable. Deshaun Watson had a lot of rust to knock off with very little time to acclimate himself to new teammates. Cleveland is hoping that will change with a full offseason to be with the team.
Alas, it wouldn’t hurt for the Browns to add some talent to the offense as well. Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson are hitting free agency, leaving a void behind Nick Chubb at running back. But, their most pressing need is likely wide receiver.
The Browns made a shrewd trade last offseason, acquiring Amari Cooper in what was essentially a salary dump from the Dallas Cowboys. He assumed the No. 1 role and played well once again, surpassing the 1,000-yard plateau for the sixth time in eight seasons and scoring a career-best nine touchdowns.
However, behind him on the depth chart, things get a little shaky. Donovan Peoples-Jones had a breakout as the No. 2, catching 61 passes for 839 yards and three touchdowns. But, the team got virtually nothing from a third wide receiver.
Rookie David Bell and 2021 third-round pick Anthony Schwartz combined for 28 catches for 265 yards and no scores. Adding a capable third receiver to the mix will help take this offense to another level.
Given their salary cap situation, as they are more than $14 million over the cap, they will have to find a bargain. One player that could fit their needs is Parris Campbell. The 2019 third-round pick out of Ohio State struggled to stay on the field his first three seasons, appearing in only 15 games. But, he stayed healthy in 2022, playing all 17 games for the Indianapolis Colts and having the best season of his career.
Campbell caught 63 passes for 623 yards and three touchdowns, an impressive feat when considering the carousel at quarterback the Colts had and the coaching staff that finished the season headed by Jeff Saturday as the interim head coach. He is a great fit for the Browns as a speedster that can win in the slot.
Landing in Cleveland would also be a homecoming of sorts for Campbell. He played collegiately with the Buckeyes in Columbus and grew up in Akron, which is less than an hour away. That could be appealing to him in addition to having a locked-in top-three role in the passing offense.
