Browns draft: Slow search is on to undergo gradual transition at receiver

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

(One in a series on Browns needs and interests in the NFL draft.)

Position: Wide receiver

Only two teams have a pair of receivers with combined higher salary cap numbers than Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry ($30.461 million) in 2021.

They are Tampa Bay with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin ($32.52 million) and the Chargers with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams ($31.38 million).

Tampa Bay and the Chargers run primarily pass-oriented offenses. The Browns’ offense is steeped in a strong-running game accentuated by the use of multiple tight ends.

Now, there is no singular template on how to prioritize cap dollars. Right now, the Browns are OK with receivers carrying the top two salary cap figures on the team. It’s easier to do that when your quarterback is still on his rookie contract. But when that changes, it becomes problematic.

Thus, the clock is ticking on the Landry-Beckham era. Remember, neither player was acquired by the current football regime. By the time the Browns enter the second contract for quarterback Baker Mayfield I would expect the team to have both their top two receivers on rookie contracts – virtually the reverse of the situation now.

That means the Browns have to identify and groom a pair of receivers to serve as WR1 and WR2 in the near future. Donovan Peoples-Jones might be one of them. The other one, I believe, will be found in the draft -- if not this year, then next.

Projected starters: Jarvis Landry, Odell Beckham Jr.

Also under contract: Rashard Higgins, KhaDarel Hodge, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Derrick Willies, Ja’Marcus Bradley, JoJo Natson, Ryan Switzer, Alex Hollins.

Analysis

The Browns can explain Mayfield’s 20-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio after Beckham went down with a torn ACL as the natural evolution of the offense. The fact is they don’t know if Beckham’s absence was the trigger, or mere coincidence, of Mayfield’s stunning turnaround. The only way to find out is to put a totally healed Beckham back on the field with the new, improved Mayfield. If their misconnections return, we know the real answer. If Beckham does return to form, it’s possible he could be a trade target in October. Meanwhile, the return of the under-rated Higgins and Hodge, and the natural progression of Peoples-Jones in his second season should provide Mayfield with ample weaponry at the position. There has been a lot of discussion about the Browns needing some over-the-top speed at the position. That is not unique to them, however, and does not require them to address the position in the early rounds of the draft.

Day 1 candidates

• Ja’Marr Chase, LSU: Teamed with Joe Burrow for historic receiving season as a sophomore, then opted out in 2020. Clearly, the best wideout in this talented class.
• DeVonta Smith, Alabama: Slightly built, but he shattered Chase’s SEC records in 2020, was a two-time captain for Nick Saban and won the Heisman Trophy.
• Jaylen Waddle, Alabama: Only 5-9 ½ and 180 pounds, he is touted by some as possibly the next Tyreek Hill.
• Rashod Bateman, Minnesota: A good-sized target who might have had a different college career at an SEC school. His 2020 season was limited to five games because of opting out on two occasions.

Day 2 candidates: Kadarius Toney, Florida; Elijah Moore, Mississippi; Terrace Marshall, LSU; Rondale Moore, Purdue; Dyami Brown, North Carolina; Amari Rodgers, Clemson; Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC; Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State; Nico Collins, Michigan; D’wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan; Tutu Atwell, Louisville.

Day 3 candidates: Simi Fehoko, Stanford; Cade Johnson, South Dakota State; Josh Palmer, Tennessee; Anthony Schwartz, Auburn.

Previously

Cornerback

Linebacker

Defensive line