Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry took a hands-off approach to the wide receiver position during the 2025 NFL Draft.
On the one hand, that is understandable. The Browns have Jerry Jeudy coming off the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his NFL career. Cedric Tillman also put together a nice string of games in 2024 before missing the final six games with a concussion. And free agency brought Diontae Johnson, a solid receiver but also one who struggled last season.
On the other hand, the club does need some better depth than what they had in 2024, which featured Michael Woods II, David Bell, Jamari Thrash, James Proche, and Jaelon Darden at various points.
Berry was active following the draft by signing several undrafted wide receivers who will be looking to grab one (or possibly more) roster spots this summer.
Let’s run through the candidates to keep an eye on during training camp and the preseason.
NCAA Football: Akron at South Carolina Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
Gage Larvadain, South Carolina
The 5-foot-9 and 180-pound Larvadain started his college career with two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana before transferring to Miami (Ohio) for two seasons, then closing things out with one season at South Carolina.
Larvadain had a down year with the Gamecocks, finishing with just 19 receptions for 223 yards and a touchdown. But that may not be a true indication of his skills, as PFF points out in naming Larvardain as a UDFA to watch on the Browns:
Larvadain flashed at three schools in his college career — Southeastern Louisiana, Miami (OH), and, most recently, South Carolina. His 2024 campaign with the Gamecocks yielded only a 58.6 PFF receiving grade and 223 receiving yards, but in his previous three seasons, he combined for 135 catches, 1,904 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns while improving his PFF receiving grade each year, topping out at 79.6 in 2023.
All told, Larvadain finished his college career with 157 receptions for 2,154 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
NCAA Football: Kent State at Pittsburgh Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Luke Floriea, Kent State
The 5-foot-10 and 168-pound Floriea is coming off a 2024 season where he set highs in receptions (44), yards (699), and touchdowns (7) while posting three 100-yard receiving games.
Floriea spent five seasons in total with the Golden Flashes, playing in 48 games. He finished his collegiate career with 100 receptions for 1,321 yards, 12 touchdowns, and averaged 13.2 yards per catch. He earned All-MAC Third Team honors in his senior season.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 30 Miami (Ohio) at Kent State Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cade McDonald, Miami, Ohio
The 5-foot-11 and 195-pound McDonald posted career highs in receptions (52), receiving yards (631), and touchdowns (3) while averaging 12.1 yards per catch for the RedHawks in 2024. He started his collegiate career as a walk-on at Michigan State and played in 45 games between Michigan State and Miami, finishing his collegiate career with 85 receptions for 1,032 yards, six touchdowns, and averaging 12.1 yards per catch.
McDonald also excelled as a punt returner, earning a second-team All-MAC selection his first year with Miami.
Western Kentucky v James Madison - Boca Raton Bowl Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Kisean Johnson, Western Kentucky
The 6-foot-1 and 216-pound Johnson started his career at Alabama State before transferring to Western Kentucky for the 2024 season.
Johnson finished last season with 75 receptions for 925 yards and seven touchdowns, which were all team highs for the Hilltoppers. He played in 47 games between Alabama State and Western Kentucky, finishing his collegiate career with 179 receptions for 2,412 yards, 18 touchdowns, and averaged 13.5 yards per catch.
Expecting four undrafted players to make the roster at one position is a tall ask. But with the state of the current group behind Jeudy and Tillman, there should be opportunities for one or more of these four players to show the Browns what they can do and make the roster decisions as hard as possible.
What do you think, Browns fans? Do any of these wide receivers excite you?