With wide receivers dominating on Thursday night at the NFL combine, we’ve focused on the position. With the Cleveland Browns in need of quality receivers, it makes even more sense to do so. Recent data that passing offense is the primary means to making the Super Bowl adds to the importance of the position as well.
The Browns could obviously use their top draft pick on a player from a different position, specifically defensive end, but most of those players haven’t hit the field at the combine just yet.
News that Amari Cooper is likely to be released and Mike Williams is unlikely to make it to free agency continued the focus on the position.
Thursday, we shared a video of Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Jameson Williams as he recovers from a late-season ACL injury. According to his doctors, Williams is ahead of schedule at this point in time.
Another video shows Williams getting work in as a part of his rehab:
F)Alabama star Jameson Williams is ahead schedule in his rehab and gearing up to fulfill his promise as the No. 1 WR in the 2022 NFL Draft@bigsgjamo @AndrewsSportMed @Alliance_Sports #2022nfldraft pic.twitter.com/BXvyFbsbM3
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 3, 2022
For many, Williams is clearly the best receiver in this loaded draft class. His injury obviously clouds where he could be drafted. While his recovery may be ahead of schedule, odds are that he will miss games as a rookie.
That is what could create a dilemma for Cleveland. Williams is a legit deep threat with very good overall play at the position:
I know a team may have to wait to see him on the field because of his January ACL tear, but this Jameson Williams stat is just absurd:
The *average* length of his 15 receiving TDs last season: 47.6 yards.
There isn't a better big play threat in this draft. pic.twitter.com/8KJsCGgWC5
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 25, 2022
Another team, like the New York Jets, could make the issue moot by selecting him with the tenth pick but if Williams is on the board, Andrew Berry and company could be deciding between immediate production and, perhaps, the highest-rated receiver in the draft.
The Draft Network produced a roundtable discussion around this very issue which was a great conversation that could mirror ones that will happen in Berea leading up the April’s draft:
If you were the Browns GM, how would you weigh immediate availability versus drafting the top receiver prospect in this year’s draft after hearing their conversation?