Next up in the series of a 2020 NFL Draft prospect at each position who fits the Cleveland Browns in each round: wide receivers.
It’s a definite need for the Browns. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry both coming off surgeries and little depth behind them, the Browns are widely expected to select at least one wideout in this week’s draft.
Depending on how much they value the position and need, GM Andrew Berry and the Browns will have options in every round. Here is one WR for each of the seven rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft with the Browns in mind.
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First round: Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
It’s quite unlikely the Browns select a wide receiver at No. 10, but Jeudy certainly holds appeal. He’s a complete player, a very advanced prospect who can quickly establish himself as one of the NFL’s best.
The attention to detail in his movement really stands out. Great feet, no wasted motion, every shoulder or knee move calculated to how the defense will react to it. Jeudy is dangerous after the catch, has the acceleration and speed to win deep and the precision and toughness to win short.
Second round: Laviska Shenault, Colorado
Shenault is a very different type of weapon than most WRs. At 6-2 and 220 pounds, he’s more like an undersized tight end. Think Anquan Boldin, but with better speed.
There are legitimate durability concerns with Shenault, who has missed games with toe and shoulder injuries the last two seasons. At Colorado he played all over the formation, even taking snaps as a fullback, so projecting what he will do in the NFL is more difficult, too. But as a physical bully across the middle or a jump-ball target on the outside, Shenault could be a real nightmare for defenses.
Third round: Van Jefferson, Florida
The son of longtime NFL wideout — and WR coach, Shawn Jefferson, Van is a fantastic route-runner with an innate ability to keep CBs off-balance in man coverage. Jefferson’s hands are fantastic, as is his catch radius. He’s also the best blocker in the entire WR class.
Why the third round for all that appeal? Jefferson is not an elite athlete, and he weighs just 197 pounds at 6-foot-2 on a maxed-out frame. He’s also older than other prospects, turning 24 in July. Jefferson is NFL-ready right out of the box but lacks the high upside of others in this general range.
Fourth round: Quartney Davis, Texas A&M
If the Browns are looking for more of a developmental-type with a high ceiling, Davis fits the bill. His routes and ability to change speeds to separate are very good already. Davis is confident working the middle of the field, less so on the outside. His play strength, ability to adjust to throws that aren’t where he expects them, and his concentration at completing the catch all need to improve.
Fifth round: Devin Duvernay, Texas
Duvernay is a natural working the slot and breaking off short, quick-hitting routes. Strong hands, decent power at just over 200 pounds on his well-chiseled 5-11 frame. He’s limited to being a slot and doesn’t offer much wiggle after the catch, but Duvernay is really god at what he does.
Sixth round: Lynn Bowden, Kentucky
Nifty, shifty, motion-type coverage dictator who is quicker than fast but also fast. He’s crafty and talented enough to have played as an option QB in 2018 and it shows when he’s got the ball in his hands. Bowden needs major work on his routes and focus after the first few steps on plays no matter where he aligns. Has some Josh Cribbs-on-offense to his game but a quicker athlete than the Browns’ special teams extraordinaire.
Seventh round: Isaiah Coulter, Rhode Island
An FCS-level standout who looks like he belongs physically, Coulter is an athletic project who would likely spend 2020 on the Browns’ practice squad. The physical traits and catch strength are there, the route running and nuances of playing the position against top-level competition are nowhere close to being NFL-ready. The high ceiling holds appeal enough to draft Coulter.