Position preview: Wide receiver

07.15.2009

The first of ClevelandBrowns.com's pre-camp position previews examines the wide receiver position...

OVERVIEW: Like many other positions, the wide receiver battle appears wide open. But this one is intriguing for many reasons, starting with the fact that there seems to be enough talent for this to become a position of strength. Braylon Edwards has vowed to bounce back; the Browns used two second-round picks on talented players who produced at college football's highest level; and the presence of Mike Furrey and David Patten not only should make the young players better but could raise the level of the group overall. That's before Syndric Steptoe (19 catches and 5 starts last year) and a host of other young players are even mentioned, which means an interesting competition is just over two weeks from really heating up.

AT THE TOP: Edwards had his share of struggles last season, but he vowed this spring that his mind is right. When he's on his game, he changes everything about the way defenses must play the Browns. He still had three 100-yard games last year but had just 3 touchdowns a year after tying a franchise record with 16. No matter who wins the quarterback job, Edwards figures as the top big-play target and a guy who can set the tone for the offense as a whole.

THE ROOKS: That the Browns drafted both Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi in Round Two is a sign they think both can play, and play right away. Robiskie's background and work ethic made him one of the most NFL-ready receivers in the draft, and he was used in a variety of roles during the spring. Massaquoi had a nice college career himself and showed the ability to use his rangy frame and make tough catches during minicamps and OTA sessions.

THE VETS: Patten begins his second tour with the Browns nine years after his first. He's a 13-year vet and a true NFL success story who says he's still playing because he thinks he's still capable of playing well. Furrey is also a proven producer, and both should be comfortable in Brian Daboll's offensive system. They'll be at the front of the line for receiver drills when camp opens, and it'll be up to them to stay there with youngsters behind them fighting for more chances.

THE WILDCAT/WILDCARD: Joshua Cribbs can play just about anywhere; there's even been talk he'll play defense. But his listed position is wide receiver, and though he had just 2 catches last year he's always in the mix not just for his big-play potential and versatility, but because when he's healthy he's always going to be active on game days and therefore could be called upon to play receiver at anytime.

THE OTHER GUYS: Entering last year's camp, Steptoe would have been considered a longshot to make the team. But he put together an outstanding preseason and then a pretty good regular season, too, and that experience should serve him well. Devale Ellis is physically similar to Steptoe and has some NFL experience; he'll be looking to do what Steptoe did last August. Paul Hubbard and Lance Leggett each served 2008 on the practice squad, and both have athletic gifts that should show up during camp. How much they've improved as all-around players will determine their chances of making a splash this fall. Undrafted rookie Jordan Norwood is a smart player who, like Steptoe and Ellis, could help in the return game and on the other special teams units as well; if he consistently catches the ball in August, he'll earn more chances.

LAST WORD: Ideally, the Browns would like to have at least one other receiver capable of stretching the field to play opposite Edwards and have Robiskie and maybe one of the other smaller, shiftier type guys create (and maximize) the type of mismatches in the slot that can keep the chains moving. It's impossible to predict how things will play out, though, and the best thing the young players can do is know the playbook inside and out to be ready when their chances come. With a full training camp, four preseason games and so much of everything new, this battle is one that could end up going a dozen (at least) different ways.