Browns 2021 draft: A wide receiver for every round
The latest in the series of potential targets for the Cleveland Browns in the 2021 NFL draft features the wide receivers.
It’s a deep class with ready-made contributors available for every type of receiver. The Browns don’t necessarily need a wide receiver in 2021 with Odell Beckham Jr. coming back healthy, Jarvis Landry still playing very well, a freshly re-signed Rashard Higgins and promising young Donovan Peoples-Jones already on the roster. But they have some long-term needs, and this is a class that could fill those needs.
Browns 2021 draft: A pass rusher for every round
The players listed here are slotted based upon the latest draft projections as of April 22nd.
First round: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
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Bateman's 2019 film for the Golden Gophers is indicative of a player who would never last to No. 26 in the draft. But he battled COVID-19 and a weight fluctuation in 2020 that could cause the talented outside receiver to fall to the Browns. Odell Beckham Jr.'s occasional workout partner, Bateman runs precise routes and offers strong hands and a bigger catch radius than his 6-foot, 190-pound build would suggest. He's not a blazing athlete or a dynamic threat after the catch, but he's a very good receiver capable of playing the X or Z spots.
Second round: Dyami Brown, North Carolina
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Nearly every online evaluation and draft guide features at least some passing comparison between Brown and NFL standout Stefon Diggs. They're similarly built, straight-line fast and move with subtlety and precision on deeper routes that makes them tougher to stick with than a receiver of average size and wiggle should be. Brown has a playmaking panache and proven productivity. His drops are an issue and he's not a physical presence on the outside, but he offers the same potential that a player like Diggs, a Pro Bowler in both Minnesota and Buffalo, offers a team from outside the first round. That's tough to ignore.
Third round: Amari Rodgers, Clemson
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Rodgers has fantastic attention to detail in every aspect of his game. His route-running consistency and footwork are outstanding no matter what route he's running or what coverage he's facing. It helped make Rogers an invaluable asset for presumptive No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence. At Clemson, Rodgers was really good at getting open quickly and staying there with great feet, quick reactions and a savvy to his game that is difficult to explain without watching him operate. He's very good at knowing exactly when to move where to throw the defender off. If he had a bigger body, faster top-end speed and stronger hands, Rodgers would go two rounds above this without question. But he's a relatively average athlete and that puts a lower ceiling on his potential than some others. Very good football player nonetheless.
Fourth round: Josh Palmer, Tennessee
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Palmer fits the bill of a player who could blossom in the NFL with better quarterback play and a more consistent role in a better offensive structure. He got little of either at Tennessee and his production totals look anemic as a result. At a powerfully built 6-foot-1 and with big, strong hands, Palmer showed the traits and potential of another middle-round wideout who took a big jump at the NFL level--Marvin Jones. Palmer isn't quite the athlete or polished route runner Jones was coming out of Cal, but he's got that kind of long-term potential.
Fifth round: Jaelon Darden, North Texas
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Darden offers tantalizing quickness, speed from the slot and run-after-catch potential. All of those were readily on display at North Texas, where he often caught laser-like throws in well-coordinated routes for the Mean Green. He's small at 5-foot-7 and 174 pounds, and Darden doesn't really have room to grow. His game is all about quickness, finesse and elusiveness; Darden won't win battles as a blocker and he loses too many contested-catch chances. But he's electrifying with the ball in his hands and in space. Darden also offers potential as a punt returner, where the Browns just might have an opening too.
Sixth round: Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State
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If the Browns are looking for a bigger, power-oriented receiver with some outstanding production and great game tape as a high-effort blocker and red zone target, Adams checks all those boxes. At 6-1 and 210 pounds, he's a handful that looked bigger than that while dominating the Sun Belt Conference. Adams needs crisper footwork and can get too caught up in fighting the corner trying to jam instead of just releasing, but he's shown an improvement arc that can continue as a late-round investment. At least early on in his NFL career, Adams will be an outside receiver working near the sideline only. His agility, or lack thereof, might relegate him there permanently.
Seveth round: Racey McMath, LSU
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McMath was a one-year starter at LSU and the inexperience shows. His routes are basic and his footwork, timing and blocking all need work. But he's got some impressive physical traits--he absolutely looks the part of a starting outside receiver. The inconsistent game tape showed flashes of the physical appearance translating, too. He's capable of the outstanding, difficult catch. He'll also get lost on spacing and timing on combo routes and will flat-out whiff on blocking assignments. In short, he needs work. That's what the seventh round is all about--a low-risk, high-reward potential. The extensive LSU connections in the Browns locker room can't hurt McMath or his chances to hear his name called by Cleveland.
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