Hindsight is 20-20.
The Cleveland Browns are probably kicking themselves right now for not using one of their six draft picks last year on a wide receiver. Rookie pass catchers produced at a historic and unprecedented rate this past season, and with Josh Gordon suspended for the first 10 games of the 2014 season, the Browns could have used some help at the wide receiver position. Now? They need to overhaul the spot completely.
Gordon will miss at least the entire 2015 season after another failed drug test. If general manager Ray Farmer wants second-year quarterback Johnny Manziel, or whoever is taking snaps under center next season, to succeed, then he is going to have to add some pass-catching talent.
"They surely have to use one of their two first-round selections [No2. 12 and 19] this year on a wideout," Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com wrote.
"The problem is that [Amari Cooper] and [Kevin White], in particular, were so impressive at the combine that they could both be scooped up before the Browns' turn at No. 12.
"Oakland (No. 4), the Jets (No. 6) and even the Giants (No. 9) could take receivers. And the Vikings (No. 11) might be inclined to reunite [Devante Parker] with his former quarterback at Louisville, Teddy Bridgewater.
"So even if Farmer is willing to use his first pick on a receiver, there's no guarantee that one of the top three will be left for him."
The Browns ranked 22nd in receiving yards per game (229.9) and dead last in receiving touchdowns (12) in 2014. Some of that had to do with poor quarterback play, but some of it also had to do with a lack of talent at the position. No disrespect to Andrew Hawkins, but the Browns need wide receivers opposing defenses have to account for on every play.
In his pre-combine mock draft, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projected Cleveland to select Parker to help out whichever QB is starting games for the Browns next season.
"What they didn't do was get a high-upside talent at wide receiver, and Parker has as high a ceiling as you can find in this class," Kiper wrote. "He can beat defenders to the ball with his size, leaping ability and catch radius, and he;s underrated as a threat to add yards after the catch on short throws. With Josh Gordon potentially done in Cleveland - at a minimum he's gone for 2015 - Parker looks like a no-brainer here."
