This year’s Cleveland Browns squad is beginning to shape up. The receiver room is a critical aspect, despite the notion being tossed around that this year’s offense will become more run-heavy, which would mean that the passing attack will take a back seat.
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Traditionally, the coaching staff has kept six receivers. A quick glance at the roster reveals that four are most likely a lock: Jerry Jeudy, Ced Tillman, Jamari Thrash, and Diontae Johnson.
That leaves just two spots up for grabs.
Most folks believe that DeAndre Carter will become the fifth receiver, which brings just one open slot.
Who gets it? Kisean Johnson signed a huge free-agent deal before training camp. Gage Larvadain has turned heads. Kaden Davis scored two touchdowns in the first preseason game. David Bell remains in play. Cade McDonald has shown flashes. Luke Floriea was considered the frontrunner before getting injured and then released. Chase Cota was also released.
Our money is on the competition between Kaden Davis and Gage Larvadain.
Comparisons:
Davis: 6’-1”, 190 pounds
Larvadain: 5’-8”, 171 pounds
Davis: age 26
Larvadain: age 22
Davis: undrafted 2022
Larvadain: undrafted 2025
Davis: 6 professional games played
Larvadain: 0 professional games played
Davis: 40 time 4.44
Larvadain: 40 time 4.45
Davis: Vertical jump 36.5”
Larvadain: Vertical jump 38.5”
Davis: College career receiving yards – 959
Larvadain: College career receiving yards – 902
Davis: College career touchdowns – 11
Larvadain: College career touchdowns – 7
Davis: College career punt returns – 4 for minus one yard
Larvadain: College career punt returns – 6 for 61 yards, 10.2 average
Davis: College kickoff returns – one for 103 yards, one touchdown
Larvadain: College kickoff returns – one for 6 yards
Davis: Accolades – 2021 MIAA All-Conference Honorable Mention, MIAA Academic Honor Roll, high school 2016 “Track Athlete of the Year,” 2017 Kansas Shrine All-Star Bowl
Larvadain: 2021 First Team All-Southland Conference
The pro game
Davis is the most experienced of the two since he became a professional athlete three years ago, while Larvadain is a rookie.
The Denver Broncos signed Davis right after the draft had concluded and made it to the final cutdown, released, then signed to their practice squad, where he remained all season. He then signed with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and was an instant contributor both on offense and as their primary kick returner. He totaled 416 all-purpose yards in five games.
Davis then had short stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and the Broncos again. In December, Denver waived him, and the Browns picked him up and placed him on their practice squad. He was elevated before the final game against the Baltimore Ravens. He played 11 snaps on special teams and 15 snaps with the offense. He tallied zero targets/receptions, but had three kickoff returns for 107 yards with a 35.7 yards per return average.
Both players have been getting praise in practice sessions.
In the Browns’ first preseason game, Davis tied for the most catches with three, the second most targets (3), and the third most receiving yards (23). What stood out was his two touchdown catches. He also caught every pass thrown his way. Davis was also nailed for a two-yard loss on a jet sweep in the first quarter.
In the same contest, Larvadain had three targets, two catches for 23 yards, one touchdown, and an 11.5-yard per-reception average. He also returned two punts for 38 yards.
The first TD catch for Davis came early in the second quarter. QB Shedeur Sanders rolled to his left, and as a man was bearing down on him, lofted a nice pass to Davis, who had a step on CB Corey Thornton along the outer edge of the end zone.
The second score came on a first-and-10 at Carolina’s 13-yard line with just 1:04 to play before the half. Davis left the line on the right side adjacent to WR McDonald. As the play unfolded, McDonald did a center drag, which took the safety with him. Davis then ran up the field and did an inside body fake at the 10-yard line. At the two, he does this double head/shoulder fake as the safety is now out of the middle zone. Sanders then tossed a laser as Davis made his final fake and turned inside to this large hole in the middle of the end zone.
Panthers CB Shemar Bartholomew was draped all over Davis, who held onto the ball somehow for the touchdown as he was falling forward. The six points placed Cleveland up 14-7.
Larvadain’s score came midway into the third quarter to increase the Browns’ lead to 21-7.
This drive began at Carolina’s 43-yard line. After a few good runs by Ahmani Marshall and a nice 12-yard catch by former UFL tight end Sal Cannella, Cleveland was situated with a first down on the Panthers’ 12. Three plays later, the Browns had a fourth-and-two at Carolina’s four-yard line.
Normally, this would result in a field goal attempt to increase the lead by two scores. But Kevin Stefanski decided to go for it. Larvadain began the play in the slot on the leftside, then went in motion to the right. The ball was snapped just as Larvadain approached Sanders, who handed the ball to him, then Sanders continued with a fake handoff to RB Marshall, who drew the linebackers back to the left.
Larvadain ran the jet sweep, then turned upfield behind seal blocks by Cannella on the outside and TE Brenden Bates to the inside. Bates’ block actually took out two defenders as he shoved one defender into another. Larvadain scored almost effortlessly.
What do the Browns have in each player?
Both players are competing for the slot position, and to some degree, as a kickoff and punt returner.
Larvadain played for South Carolina. Although blessed with great speed, he is also elusive and is considered a playmaker. He is able to track the ball well while in flight and make adjustments.
He isn’t going to get many yards after the first hit because of his smallish frame. He measured just 5’-8” and weighed in at 170 pounds at his Pro Day. But he is making a strong case to keep him as training camp rolls along. To date, he has impressed the coaches.
Zac Jackson of The Athletic noted this recently:
“The camper of the day Saturday was undrafted rookie wide receiver Gage Larvadain, who’s made a notable play on most days but made multiple impressive catches Saturday. If Larvadain keeps it up, he’ll make the team.”
In practice sessions, every quarterback seems to be gravitating towards him as a receiver. This indicates trust and reliability in him being able to complete the passing process. He will contest passes even if he has to make body adjustments. But he has had an issue with consistency in college that may still be lingering.
Davis has the experience over Larvadain, obviously, and played his college ball at Northwest Missouri State University. He is also a better special teams player in that he is a reliable tackler with more size as well as a returner. He is another speed guy.
He is an excellent route runner and has fewer issues with larger safeties and linebackers, and has shown a willingness to go up against these types of players, including his downfield blocking skills. Great hands with strong play.
After Friday night’s game against Carolina, Stefanski said this on the media Zoom conference:
“Kaden’s been very productive for the football team going back through the spring, very dependable, knows what to do, fast. I think you see his speed show up in practice and game-like settings. So, I was really happy for him to have the success that he did last night.”
Davis is pretty consistent with catching the ball and his route running. He seems to practice like he is in game situations. Right now, he is getting very little separation, but his catch radius has been making up for this.
In a group that has more questions than answers, both Larvadain and Davis have a legitimate chance to make the 53-man regular-season roster. However, it will most likely become one or the other.
Who do you think makes the roster between these two receivers?
