A position by position rundown of the Cleveland Browns as the offseason heads toward the combine and free agency:
WIDE RECEIVERS
Under contract: Phil Bates, Travis Benjamin, Kevin Cone, Taylor Gabriel, Josh Gordon (suspended for 2015), Andrew Hawkins, Marlon Moore, Rodney Smith
Free agents: Miles Austin
The good: For 10 games, the Browns receivers played with tremendous collective heart and effort. It would be hard to find a group anywhere that gave more than Benjamin, Hawkins, Austin and Gabriel. They overachieved early, then struggled as the offense tried to assimilate Gordon into the lineup. The Browns can find more talented players, but they will have a hard time finding more dedicated ones. Austin especially was a pleasant surprise as a dependable route-runner and mentor. He stayed to help his younger teammates even when his season ended with a lacerated kidney.
The bad: Gordon’s year-long suspension/ban casts a pall over the group and the team. He has gone from a major playmaker to a mystery to a guy who won't be with the team in any way in 2015. Spare the sympathy. Gordon knew the rule, knew the requirement, and he broke it -- and let down his team, his teammates and himself. He could have been a future superstar; instead his future is unknown. That, combined with Austin's upcoming free agency, leaves the Browns' receiving corps lacking and sorely in need of an upgrade.
The money: Bringing back Austin would seem to be a priority. He provided leadership and dependability at a position where both were needed. The question is whether Austin wants to come back to a team that, on paper, seems headed to a very difficult season.
Free agency need: High, though GM Ray Farmer has said often he does not place a high priority on the receiver position. The Browns, though, cannot head into 2015 without upgrading the position.
Draft priority: Also high. In the 2014 draft, Farmer declined to pick a receiver from the most talented group in recent memory. He can’t avoid the position in this draft.
