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2016 AFC North Rankings by Position: Wide Receivers

By Joe Serpico

Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated after his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated after his touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Corey Coleman (Baylor) is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number fifteen overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: Cleveland Browns wide receivers Corey Coleman and ???

The Browns are difficult to predict at this position. Travis Benjamin, last year’s top option, is now with the San Diego Chargers. With Benjamin out the door, new Head Coach Hue Jackson decided to completely overhaul the group through the draft.

Cleveland used one of their first-round choices on Corey Coleman and he figures to be planted into the starting role. It’s not a good thing that his coach called him out for being out of shape, but Coleman does not have any real competition on the roster for the No. 1 spot. In order for the Browns to have any shot at posting a winning record, they’ll need him to come up big.

The Browns also used three other draft picks on receivers. They added Ricardo Louis, Jordan Payton and Rashard Higgins in the fourth and fifth rounds, and each has a strong chance of making the roster. Remember, Jackson has no loyalty to the veterans on the team, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a few of them go in favor of his guys.

Speaking of the veterans, the top returning player is Brian Hartline, and that is not exactly exciting news. The former Ohio State Buckeye finished with 46 catches for 523 yards and two scores a year ago. The Browns also have Andre Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel on the roster, but with the number of receivers taken in the draft, their futures are murky.

It’s hard to predict how the Browns passing game will fare in 2016 with Robert Griffin under center. He will not have the most explosive group of wide outs to get the ball to, but they will have to get the job done.

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