The discussion around wide receivers will persist for the Cleveland Browns until they fix the position. Currently, Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz would be set to be the team’s top three receivers with Demetric Felton joining the group, playing receiver along with running back.
While each of those players has their skills, that group is not an acceptable group for a team that wants to compete to make the playoffs and more.
Landry’s return is also not certain as seen by his comments on social media.
With that in mind, every big name in free agency and the NFL draft has been bounced around in connection to the Browns. Unfortunately, many of the would-be free agents are unlikely to actually make it to free agency. Recent history also tells us that highly paid receivers changing teams in free agency don’t produce with their new team.
Los Angeles Chargers receiver Mike Williams gets added to that list of players unlikely to hit the open market:
The Chargers “aren’t going to let Mike Williams go,” according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. If both sides don’t agree on a long-term extension, the Chargers are prepared to franchise tag the WR.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) March 4, 2022
Williams had a great season in 2021 with 76 receptions for 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. Against Cleveland, the big receiver had eight catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
Crossing Williams off the list, in pencil for now, could lead GM Andrew Berry to look toward the trade market to add a veteran receiver this offseason. It will be interesting if any of the best free-agent receivers hit the market, many thought Williams had the best chance of that top-tier group.