Taking a look at Cleveland’s wide receiver room before team activities begin
The Cleveland Browns are officially heading into the first portion of their practice schedule this weekend beginning with their rookie minicamp.
OTA’s (Organized team activities) begin shortly after that on May 21st, which marks the first time that the entire team has an opportunity to work together. Before it gets to that point, it’s important to take a look at each of Cleveland’s position groups.
Today we’re going to dive into the Browns’ wide receiver room as it currently stands.
Current Roster (10)
Amari Cooper
2023 Stats: 72 recs., 1250 receiving yards, 17.4 avg., 5 TD
Cooper put together an incredible season in 2023 despite experiencing “hot and cold” quarterback play throughout the year. Having a healthy Deshaun Watson throwing him the football could be astronomical for his efficiency and overall production in 2024.
PFF Grade: 80.3
Jerry Jeudy
2023 Stats: 54 recs., 758 receiving yards, 14.0 avg., 2 TD
Jeudy was acquired in March via trade from the Denver Broncos, and he hopes to jumpstart his career in Cleveland. He has the skillset and positional flexibility to be an above-average receiver in the NFL. The organization believes he can be an asset for the offense going forward, and he’ll most likely line up in multiple spots for the Browns in 2024.
PFF Grade: 67.8
Elijah Moore
2023 Stats: 59 recs., 640 receiving yards, 10.8 avg., 2 TD
Moore had somewhat of a disappointing season in 2023 based on what the team had originally planned for him. He should be used on the outside more often now that Jerry Jeudy is in town. Jeudy did most of his damage from the slot in Denver and looks more natural inside. The team began to use Elijah Moore out wide considerably more after week 11 last season and he began to look better.
PFF Grade: 60.1
Cedric Tillman
2023 Stats: 21 recs., 224 receiving yards, 10.7 avg., 0 TD
Tillman looked very raw in the early portion of the 2023 season but became more and more productive as the year went on. Cleveland consistently moved him around throughout his rookie season, but he eventually found a home as a “big slot” which allowed him to use his size as an advantage over smaller defensive backs.
PFF Grade: 55.5
David Bell
2023 Stats: 14 recs., 167 receiving yards, 11.9 avg., 3 TD
Bell continues to be a solid, no-nonsense player for Cleveland who always does his job when he’s on the field. He’s been an effective player in the slot throughout his first two years with the team and was leaned on heavily against the Houston Texans in the 2023 playoffs.
PFF Grade: 61.5
Jamari Thrash
2023 Stats: 63 recs., 858 receiving yards, 13.6 avg., 6 TD
Despite his draft stock, Thrash was a fairly productive receiver in college at both Georgia State and Louisville. He was utilized all over the field throughout the last few years, ranging from a deep-ball “X” receiver at GSU to a slot-type role at Louisville. His versatility and route-running ability will allow Cleveland to rotate him around the formation as a rookie.
PFF Grade: N/A
James Proche II
2023 Stats: 22 punt returns, 197 yards, 8.6 avg. 1 kick return, 19 yards
Proche II was primarily used as the team’s punt returner in 2023 with only 1 start at wide receiver in week 18 against Cincinnati. If he makes the team in 2024, it’ll likely be due to his special teams play.
PFF Grade: 50.1
Jaelon Darden
2023 Stats: 4 punt returns, 39 yards, 9.75 avg., 2 kick returns, 42 yards, 21.0 avg
Darden spent the majority of the 2023 season on Cleveland’s practice squad. He was activated to take over as the primary kick/punt returner in the Browns’ week 6 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Proche II and Darden will need to impress as both pass-catchers and kick-returners in camp in order to have a chance at making the roster in 2024.
PFF Grade: N/A
Michael Woods II
2023 Stats: N/A
Woods was out for the entire 2023 season due to a ruptured Achilles that he suffered in an independent workout with Deshaun Watson. In December of 2023, he was also suspended six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He’s looked good in practice when active, so it’s going to be interesting to follow his storyline throughout the summer.
PFF Grade: N/A
Ahmarean Brown – South Carolina
2023 Stats: 26 recs., 265 receiving yards, 10.2 avg., 1 TD, 1 punt return, 3 yards
Brown is a tiny (5’9”, 167 lbs.) UDFA speedster out of the University of South Carolina, and his explosive playmaking potential is what attracted Cleveland following the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Browns love to take “fliers” on these types of players every year.
PFF Grade: N/A
Rookie Minicamp Invite (2)
Tyrese Chambers – Maryland
2023 Stats: 7 recs., 51 yards, 7.3 avg., 1 TD
Chambers transferred to Maryland from Florida International, where he was one of the best receivers at the “G5” level. He eventually left the Maryland football program after just six games with the intent of transferring to another school. He ultimately decided to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft instead.
He went undrafted and was invited to Cleveland’s rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
PFF Grade: N/A
Clevan Thomas Jr. – Montana State
2023 Stats: 26 recs., 364 receiving yards, 14.0 avg., 4 TD
Thomas Jr. began his career at Kentucky before transferring to Montana State in 2022. He appears to be a good athlete who has shown positional versatility throughout his career at UK and MSU.
PFF Grade: N/A
Projected Depth Chart (6)
X – Amari Cooper
Z – Elijah Moore
Slot – Jerry Jeudy
WR4 – Cedric Tillman
WR5 – Jamari Thrash
WR6 – David Bell or James Proche II
What are your thoughts on Cleveland’s wide receiver room heading into offseason activities? Join fellow Browns fans in the comment section below.
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