Position Breakdown: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Current Roster Makeup:

Estandia, Greg TE 6-8 266; Gaines, Michael TE 6-2 267; Heiden, Steve TE 6-5 270; Moore, Evan TE 6-6 247; Royal, Robert TE 6-4 257; Allen, Jake WR 6-4 194; Cribbs, Joshua WR 6-1 215; Furrey, Mike WR 6-0 195; Massaquoi, Mohamed WR 6-2 207; Robiskie, Brian WR 6-3 209; Steptoe, Syndric WR 5-9 200; Stuckey, Chansi WR 6-0 196

Breakdown:

The Browns are loaded at both the TE and WR positions. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. are both coming off Pro Bowl seasons and look to build on one of the most potent passing attacks in the NFL...

What?! That was TWO years ago?!?! Well at least we have Chansi Stuckey, becuase with a name like Stuckey, he's got to be good. Okay, so after the Browns traded K2 on the first day of free agency in 2009 and dealt Braylon Edwards after the Week 4 loss to Cincinnati, during which he was held without a reception for the first time in his career, the Browns find themselves with a myriad of mediocrity at two important positions. Mohamed Massaquoi or as we like to call him around SBS, Mo Mass, became the team's #1. Mo Mass had his Mo-Ments but it is difficult for any rookie receiver to step in and dominate in the NFL. Wide receiver is perhaps one of the most difficult positions to adjust to from college. Hopefully for fellow rookier and hometown hero Brian Robiskie, that was the problem. Robiskie, the 36TH OVERALL PICK was perhaps the biggest disappointment of the Brown's 2009 draft class next to LB David Veikune, the 52ND OVERALL PICK. Hopefully George Kokinis will learn from his mistakes and make better choices in 2010... What?! He's gone too?!?!?! He seemed like he had such a good work ethic. And I thought he really got along well with Ms. Aponte. Oh well...

Robiskie seemed to be one of the most polished receivers to come out in the draft in recent memory. Knowing his pedigree, his father Terry being a longtime receiver's coach in the NFL, that he will learn a from a rocky 2009 and come back much improved in 2010. Mo Mass needs to continue to refine his route running and can develop into a good NFL receiver. however, I'm not sure whether either is really a true #1.

Outside of the two rooks, the other receivers are role players. I think Chansi Stuckey has potential to be a threat out of the slot but is nothing more than a 3rd receiver at best. I wasn't even aware that Syndric Steptoe was on the roster anymore. That may be a mistake. Josh Cribbs is more effective out of the backfield than as a receiver, IMO, but I would like to see him better utilized overall by Mr. Daboll and his staff. I would like to see what Josh could do with Vickers in front of him out of the "I" formation. Jake Allen is a developmental player the Browns picked up late in the year. We'll see if he survives training camp and makes the roster in 2010.

For two struggling QB's in Quinn and Anderson, the lack of presence at the TE position was perhaps the biggest detriment to the offense in 2009. Quinn sorely lacked a safety blanket that Winslow could have provided if he were still on our roster. Robert Royal's decision to soak his gloves in KY Jelly before games proved to be a bad decision. While Royal might be an asset in the blocking game, he was a as much of a liability in the passing game. Heiden's playing days seemed to be numbered as he has been plagued with injuries the past couple of seasons. On a positive note, Evan Moore seemed to be a pretty good receiving tight end, however he was not asked to block very much.

Free Agency Outlook:

The Browns may target a 2nd receiver in free agency, a veteran who can bring along the younger talent already on the roster. Steve Breaston is a restricted free agent and is likely staying in Arizona, but is a player I would love to see on our team. Jason Avant is another former Michigan receiver that seemed to come on this season and may be a target of Heckert who undoubtedly played a role in selecting him in Philadelphia.

Tight End is one position that may be addressed in free agency, should Holmren and Heckert find themselves unsatisfied with developing the talent currently on the roster. Some notable free agents are Owen Daniels, Bo Scaife, Tony Scheffler and Ben Watson. Again, the CBA makes forecasting free agency a bit tricky.

Draft Prospects:

Dez Bryant is the big name receiver this year and I suppose could be in play for the Browns at the 7 spot. However, I doubt he would be Holmgren's choice that high. The draft is not particularly stacked with top end talent at the receiver position but is fairly deep in terms of value in Rounds 2-5.

I don't anticipate Jermaine Gresham to be wearing Orange and Brown this coming season either unless he were to somehow fall to the 2nd round. I expect the Browns to address the TE position somehwere in the middle of the draft. One prospect I particularly fell in love with is former Gator, Aaron Hernandez. He reminds me a lot of K2 in terms of athleticism and tribal arm-sleeve tattooism. He seems like a player who should perform well at the combine and quickly skyrocket up draft boards.