During this Cleveland Browns roster building and contract preseason preview I will be covering everything from a General Manager perspective to get you ready for what the Cleveland Browns roster and practice squad will likely be week one.
Today we are looking at potential free agency and trade targets at wide receiver to strengthen the position room. I'm going to stay by laying out where I currently see the room come week one of the season.
Jerry Jeudy
Cedric Tillman
Diontae Johnson
Free Agent/Trade
Jamari Thrash
DeAndre Carter
_Practice Squad - David Bell/Free Agent (Michael Woods)_
_Practice Squad - Kaden Davis_
_Practice Squad - Gage Larvadain_
The starting trio at wide receiver are locked in with Jeudy, Tillman and Johnson. There is a genuine question to ask about Tillman vs Johnson as the season goes along, while the first preseason game wasn't his strongest it is clear Johnson has talent if he can keep his head in the game. Considering the Cleveland Browns were the only team that reached out to him and he signed a veteran minimum contract with no guarantees shows it is his last chance in the NFL and he needs a good year in 2025. This will hopefully motivate him to deliver for the Browns and give himself a future in the league.
If there are any significant issues with Tillman's injuries or Johnson's off field then I can see them turning to the free agency or trade market, here are the top free agency names remaining by snap percentage in 2024: Tyler Boyd, Amari Cooper, Nelson Agholor, Robert Woods, D.J. Turner, Chris Conley, Brandon Powell, River Cracraft, Jamison Crowder, and Allen Robinson. To properly asses the quarterback talent on the team I would be open to adding another reliable target for Flacco or one of the rookies.
They will also be looking at the trade market, both the Packers and Patriots have numerous depth pieces and there is a chance one of them are traded to Cleveland. Since they have more engagement with other teams on potential trades they will be the first to know if a potential target is on the market.
Thrash didn't show very much in his rookie year, so we will need to see a step forward for him to earn the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart. This could mean they are looking to the waiver wire or trade market to add another role player who can come in and contribute for the team. I don't see David Bell filling this spot considering they were both waived by the team last year and spent time on the practice squad, a sign the team didn't value them.
Then for the final spot on the depth chart a role usually reserved for a returner by the Cleveland Browns, this is most likely to be for Carter. He was one of the best kick/punt returner in the league last year so offers more talent than an inactive depth wide receiver would deliver.
When it comes to the practice squad, I see a veteran spot for David Bell if he can get healthy in time, since it was a non football injury I have concerns. They could look to sign Michael Woods back when healthy, personally I think this could be more likely as things stand.
The second practice squad spot is most likely to go to Kaden Davis as things stand. Also if they don't add another wide receiver then he could potentially make the 53 man roster.
Whichever young UDFA shows the most promise probably gets the third spot, currently there was a main battle between Luke Floriea and Gage Larvadain, despite Cade McDonald getting the first snaps. While Floriea was the favorite for me after the game, him being waived injured makes this unlikely. He could always get healthy in time but I will pencil Gage Larvadain in for the time being.