The Browns are just under a month away from the start of training camp, which will kick off with their visit to the Greenbrier. To prepare for training camp, we're putting together a thorough preview of each position on the roster. To continue the series, let's next take a look at wide receivers. In case you missed the first installment, read about the quarterbacks preview here.
The Wide Receivers:
David Bell
Ahmarean Brown
Jalen Camp
Amari Cooper
Jaelon Darden
Jerry Jeudy
Matt Landers
Elijah Moore
James Proche II
Jamari Thrash
Cedric Tillman
Michael Woods II
What we know: The Browns added more talent to their receiving corps when they acquired Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Broncos and extended him for three years. They have a solid group of pass catchers in Jeudy, Cooper and Moore, as well as the emergence of Tillman in his second year. Tillman was a standout in minicamp and was recognized for the work he put in during the offseason. Thrash, who the Browns drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, showcased potential during OTAs and minicamp.
Their receiving corps has a level of versatility that pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea said they value and look for in their receivers. They have players who can function in different spots, which allows other players to use their skill sets in other spots on the field.
The Browns also have receivers who could earn roles on special teams, especially with the new kickoff rules. Different receivers took reps throughout OTAs and minicamp in kickoff return drills, and as they continue to practice through training camp, could solidify a role as a returner.
The biggest question: What will Amari Cooper's future look like in Cleveland? Cooper was not present for all three days of veteran mandatory minicamp, and head coach Kevin Stefanski said his absence was not excused. Cooper is entering the final year of his contract with the Browns and could become an unrestricted free agent in 2025. He's played an integral in the success of the pass game during his two seasons with the Browns, as he has amassed 1,000 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons – becoming the first Browns player to do so.
The Browns added more talent to their receiving corps when they acquired Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Broncos and extended him for three years. They have a solid group of pass catchers in Jeudy, Cooper and Moore, as well as the emergence of Tillman in his second year. Tillman was a standout in minicamp and was recognized for the work he put in during the offseason. Thrash, who the Browns drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, showcased potential during OTAs and minicamp.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Wide Receiver Michael Woods II (12) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 14-28.
Wide Receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Washington Commanders on January 1, 2023 at FedEx Field. The Browns won 24-10.
Wide Receiver Michael Woods II (12) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during a NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns on December 10, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 31-27.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on November 19, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 13-10.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during a NFL football game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on October 15, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 19-17.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos on November 26, 2023 at Empower Field at Mile High. The Browns lost 12-29.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams on December 3, 2023 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 19-36.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on November 5, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 27-0.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) during a NFL football game between the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on December 28, 2023 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns won 37-20.
Wide Receiver Amari Cooper (2) after a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 24, 2023 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 36-22.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 3 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 23, 2024.
Wide receiver David Bell (18) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Matt Landers (89) during the first day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 11, 2024.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during OTA 2 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 22, 2024.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024 at Paycor Stadium. The Browns lost 14-31.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a workout on the first day of Rookie Minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 10, 2024.
Wide receiver Ahmarean Brown (87) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.
Wide receiver Jaelon Darden (16) during OTA 4 at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 28, 2024.
Wide receiver Jalen Camp (84) during the third day of mandatory minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on June 13, 2024.
The biggest number: 17.4 – Cooper's average yards per reception. Cooper set a career-high in average yards per reception, as well as total receiving yards with 1,250 yards during the 2023 season. His 1,250 receiving yards was also the third-most by a Browns player in a season. He has passed 1,000 receiving yards a total of seven times in his 10-year career, including the back-to-back seasons with the Browns.
The X-Factor: Jeudy. There's a high level of intrigue to see how Jeudy fits in the Browns offense with Watson, as well as among the rest of the receiving corps in Cooper and Moore. He had a limited role in Denver, as he totaled 211 receptions for 3,053 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons. However, in a new offensive system, Jeudy has the potential to be a downhill threat for Watson in the pass game.
Says it all: "Jerry (Jeudy's) another guy that's going to bring versatility. So, that's the one thing that we've always really liked about Jeudy is his ability to kind of play across the board, play in different roles. I would say his route tree is pretty big. So, we can do a lot of different things with him, both inside and outside. And again, that helps those other guys be in different positions to use their skill set because I can't say enough about the work that those other guys have done on the field this spring and really excited about their ability to be used in different spots as well." – Pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea on Jeudy
How many were kept on the initial 53-man roster last year: 6
