5 Wide Receiver Prospects Browns Could Assess For 2024 Draft
The Browns’ 2023-24 season came to a sudden end Saturday in their loss to the Texans. Now, the focus shifts toward the first stages of the offseason, which begin with the front office assessing the roster as they make decisions on how to approach free agency and the draft.
One area the Browns will almost certainly look to upgrade in coming months is wide receiver. The position has been near the top of Cleveland’s offseason priorities in each of the last two offseasons, and that’s because the Browns have had little success beyond Amari Cooper at finding consistent talent in the room.
Elijah Moore never became the versatile weapon the Browns’ envisioned in their offense when they traded a second-round pick (and received a third-round pick back) from the Jets last offseason. Marquise Goodwin had little impact in the passing game and caught just four passes all last year. Cedric Tillman and David Bell are young and still have time to develop, but neither appear ready for substantial roles next year.
The Browns need more help, and they could find it with their first pick in the draft. They’re still without a first-round pick for the third straight draft, but they own a second-round pick that is now locked in at No. 54 overall, and there should be plenty of intriguing wide receiver prospects available in what many draft analysts believe is one of the deepest receiver classes in recent memory.
Before we explore some players, let’s note that it’s still extremely early — the draft isn’t for another 100 days. Draft boards and prospect rankings are bound to change after the Scouting Combine and college pro days. With such a deep receiver class, there could be several new players projected as Round 2 picks a couple months from now.
OK, let’s dive in.
Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) runs the ball during the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
© Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
Xavier Worthy, Texas
Worthy was a 1,000-yard receiver for the Longhorns last season and is likely to remain an early Day 2 prospect because of his size — at 6-foot-1 and 160 pounds, he would be the lightest player on the Browns roster by nearly 20 pounds. But he has deep-threat ability with his speed and could be one of the fastest receivers available in the draft class.
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) makes a catch and runs for touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half in the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
McConkey’s production at Georgia isn’t spectacular as he never totaled more than 800 yards in a season with the Bulldogs, but his polished route running could make him a versatile weapon, according to Damian Parson of The Draft Network. He's currently projected by most draft analysts as a Round 2 pick.
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Franklin, Oregon
Dane Brugler of The Athletic mocked Franklin to the Browns in the second round of his most recent mock draft. Franklin and LSU wideout Malik Nabers, who is projected to be a top 10 pick, were the only two FBS wide receivers with at least 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He’s also a speedy player who has the typical build of a deep threat receiver.
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) leaps over Texas Longhorns defensive back Jahdae Barron (23) during the third quarter of the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
Polk is considered a fringe Round 1 prospect in most current mock drafts, so the receiver rankings might need to fluctuate for him to be available for the Browns. If he is, he’d certainly be tough to pass after a 1,159-yard season with the Huskies. Polk and Rome Odunze, a highly-touted prospect in the class, ripped through defenses to help Washington reach the National Championship Game, with Polk totaling 122 yards in the semifinal game against Texas.
WKU's Malachi Corley runs in for a touchdown against UTEP on Nov. 4, 2023 at the Sun Bowl.
© Alberto Silva Fernandez/ El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Corley is considered the best receiving prospect from a Group of Five program in the class and earned the nickname “YAC King” because of how much damage he did with the ball in his hands. Corley has drawn a lot of comparisons to Deebo Samuel, and it's warranted after he averaged 9.2 yards-after-catch the last two seasons.
