The early reports from training camp are that KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston have been very impressive. One of the greatest failings of successive regimes has been their lack of genuine draft investment at wide receiver. For a premium position like wide receiver, anything outside the first two rounds is a dart throw. You have to go back to Corey Coleman in 2016 to when the Browns spend a pick in the first two rounds. There have been sticking plasters in Amari Cooper, Jarvis Landry and OBJ but that needs to be complimented with draft picks. This year Andrew Berry has hopefully corrected that mistake and found two long term answers for the Browns, but with wide receivers you need three so they have more work to do.
I'm not too worried at this stage if these two rookies lock up the top or bottom of the depth chart, more than they prove they belong playing the majority of snaps in an above average NFL offense. Then it is about finding a third option within the current roster rather than them needing to invest in free agency, the trade market or the draft.
**Jerry Jeudy** - The 2024 season was fantastic, if he produces like that again in 2026 then the question will be about extending him and keeping the trio together through 2028 while the others are on rookie deals. If we see the 2025 Jeudy then he will be out the door with no chance of earning the $17m in 2027. They have until the 1st September 2027 to make a decision, so they can take their time but Andrew Berry is likely to tell the player's camp early and move on once a replacement is found.
**Isaiah Bond** - There were some flashes in 2025 but these need to be more consistent for him to be considered a top three wide receiver on the team, rather than an upside fourth option on the roster. He might need an injury from one of the three ahead of him to lock down significant playing time but with a long season that is always possible, he will just need to seize it when the chance comes. As a UDFA he can be extended after year two where as drafted players need to complete their third year, so an early extension is on the table if he impresses in 2026.
From years of trying to convince ourselves that the UDFA they have found could be their wide receiver three, the team finally feels like it is in a good place with receivers. I expect Jeudy to be the favorite and keeping him for $17m in 2027 while the rookies continue to develop is no issue for me. The real hope is that Bond has a great season and can be the guy as that allows them to invest that $17m in another part of the roster and have a trio that could spend close to a decade together.
If neither of these players produce then there will be plenty of veteran or trade options on the market for them to bring in next season as a Jeudy replacement with Bond remaining as their fourth choice. There is certainly the chance all of them produce and you are in a position where you can struggle to get all the wide receiver talent on the field, that would be a nice problem to have and one where Andrew Berry can leverage a promising trade.