The Cleveland Browns are ranked dead last in the AFC North Division with a 2-6-0 record. Their schedule gets better as numerous struggling teams are ahead on the horizon. Currently, the Browns are three games out of first place in the division and the final AFC wild card spot.
The Cleveland offense is absolutely horrible. Except for the 31 points they laid on the Miami Dolphins, this group hasn’t scored more than 20 points in a game. The offensive line has been banged up for most of the season, mainly
at both tackle spots, but now this group is healthy.
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The run game has come alive with rookie Quinshon Judkins, and using two good tight ends in David Njoku and rookie Harold Fannin has added sparks here and there.
But the receiver group is not good. Not good at all.
Currently, the receiver room ranks #29 in the league. They are dead last in the league in average yards per reception with 8.5 yards. The seven passing TDs rank #30. They have the second fewest passing plays of 20+ yards (14) and are dead last in passing plays of 40+ yards (0). Cleveland also has the shortest long-distance passing play with a 35-yard reception.
Blame using a rookie quarterback. Blame the offensive line. Blame the play caller. Or just blame the fact that these receivers just aren’t very good.
Jerry Jeudy has been the most disappointing this year, after a very good first year with the Browns, with his low production this year and the large number of drops. Isaiah Bond was supposed to be this terrific wild card, but he hasn’t been a factor at all. Cedric Tillman has been hurt for the majority of the season. Jamari Thrash has good hands but will go down on the first effort by any defender, and both Malachi Corley and Gage Larvadain have only seen spot duty.
Look at the production for this year’s group during the bye week:
2025 Browns
Editor’s note: NFL rankings are based on total receptions
Jerry Jeudy (6’-1”, 195 pounds) – NFL ranking: #136: 8 starts, 54 targets, 22 receptions, 257 yards, 11.7 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 15 first down conversions, 0 rushes, 8 drops
Ced Tillman (6’-3”, 215 pounds) – NFL ranking: #270: 4 starts, 20 targets, 11 receptions,1067 yards, 9.6 yards per reception average, 2 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 8 first down conversions, 0 rushes, 0 drops
Jamari Thrash (6’-0”, 190 pounds) – NFL ranking: #291: 1 start, 14 targets, 10 receptions, 107 yards, 10.7 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 5 first down conversions, 0 rushes, 0 drops
Isaiah Bond (5’-11”, 180 pounds) – NFL ranking: #270: 2 starts, 30 targets, 11 receptions, 123 yards, 11.2 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 5 first down conversions, 1 rush for 9 yards, 3 drops
Malachi Corley (5’-11”, 215 pounds) – NFL ranking: #450: 0 starts, 2 targets, 2 receptions, 17 yards, 8.5 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 1 first down conversion, 2 rushes for 42 yards, 0 drops
Gage Larvadain (5’-8”, 171 pounds) – NFL ranking: #450: 0 starts, 5 targets, 2 receptions, 22 yards, 11.0 yards per reception average, 0 touchdowns, 0 fumbles, 0 first down conversions, 1 rush for 3 yards, 1 drop
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4:00 pm (Eastern). Could Browns GM Andrew Berry make a trade to bring in a capable receiver before the deadline passes? Berry has been active in moving players via trades lately, so perhaps he will work on getting another to improve an awful group.
What is concerning is the fact that Cleveland only has seven passing touchdowns this year, and the only receiver to score has been Tillman. He only played in the first four games. No other Browns receiver has a TD catch.
Here are three possible receivers Berry could try to bring onto this year’s roster.
Jauan Jennings (6’-3”, 212 pounds)
San Francisco 49ers
Age: 28
40 time: 4.72
College: Tennessee
Contract: Final year, cap hit $9.14 million
The 49ers may be looking to move on from Jennings since this is his contract year. Before the season began, he agreed to a revised contract for the 2025 season. The newly signed agreement will make Jennings an unrestricted free agent after the season, so the team may to get something for his services instead of letting him walk.
Last season, he had 113 targets and was really involved in the offensive game plan. He ended up with 975 yards with six TDs. This year, his stats are six starts, 36 targets, 18 receptions for 212 yards and a single score.
Jennings could become the ideal #2 receiver in this Browns offense. He is not considered a “burner” but plays significantly faster on the field. Because of this frame, he is a physical receiver and an aggressive route runner. His yards after contact (YAC) numbers are very good each season.
He is not a great juke receiver, but runs crisp routes and can make defenders miss. He does lack quickness in short areas and does not have ideal speed.
Chris Olave (6’-0”, 187 pounds)
New Orleans Saints
Age: 25
40 time: 4.39
College: Ohio State
Contract: Final year, cap hit $6.14 million
The Saints could be willing sellers at the trade deadline. They are in rebuild mode and want to bring in as many younger players next season as they can. New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore inherited Olave, so to clean some house is his preference and bring in his own type of players in the draft.
Olave came out of Ohio State, which is a program that is famous for sending blue-chip receivers to the next level. He had a lot of success in his first two seasons in the league, gaining 1,042 and 1,123 yards, respectively. But an injury in his third season limited him to just eight games. He is completely healthy this season and has started all eight games with already 83 targets. Olave has gained 503 yards on 52 receptions and scored three TDs.
New Orleans hasn’t offered an extension yet. He is set to become a free agent, so the Saints would like to deal him and get something in return. Olave is a savvy, natural pass catcher with reliable hands and good focus. He does go down easily and isn’t going to get great YAC numbers each year. But he is an impressive athlete with impressive football IQ.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (6’-1”, 197 pounds)
Seattle Seahawks
Age: 23
40 time: 4.48
College: Ohio State
Contract: Third year of four-year deal, cap hit $3.94 million
(Editor’s note: We are very aware that JSN is not going anywhere, but the Browns should be swinging for the fences, so why not at least mention one of those types of WRs? Replace any other big-name WR here and Andrew Berry should be trying to acquire them.)
The Seattle Seahawks have some big contracts to pay in their future, and they can’t afford to pay everyone. There are concerns about standout LB Boye Mafe and former Pro Bowl CB Riq Woolen. Either player could be traded, or will remain in-house, and their financial situation dealt with in the off-season. Another player of concern is WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks have expressed that they want to keep their defense intact, so trading Smith-Njigba makes sense.
Smith-Njigba is a very good receiver. Already this season, he has 819 yards on 70 targets and 50 receptions with four TDs.
Last year, he had 137 targets with 100 catches. That is production. That goes back to his college days, where he had 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and was teammates with Olave and Garrett Wilson.
Better when placed in the slot. Soft hands and knows how to get separation. Can track the long pass and is a legitimate downfield threat. Athletically, he is good, just not great.
This one trade would completely change the landscape of the Browns’ offense.
