Cleveland Browns have one more preseason game left before all eyes will turn to roster cutdowns.

When that time comes, the Browns are going to have some choices to make that will be absolutely tough.

One of the spots where there are things to sort through is wide receiver. With the emergence of Austin Watkins Jr. and players who have missed time due to injury, it’s interesting.

After keeping six wide receivers in years past, the Browns I can see keeping seven of them this season, at least to start. With the offense wanting to open up the passing game more, it makes sense. What Cleveland does at the position to begin the year will certainly have an effect on Deshaun Watson and the offense.

Locks

Amari Cooper

Cleveland’s 1,000-yard receiver is their clear-cut No. 1 wideout in the offense. Cooper had a career-high nine touchdowns last season to go along with 1,160 receiving yards. It gets a bit more impressive when you look at the fact that Cooper worked with backup QB Jacoby Brissett for 11 of those games.

Donovan Peoples-Jones

After being a sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Peoples-Jones has taken a big step forward each season. Last year, the Michigan product had a career-high 839 receiving yards as the Browns’ No. 2 option. DPJ is not a great route runner by any means but he knows how to make all of the tough catches. There are some who believe the Browns could trade Peoples-Jones, but I don’t see GM Andrew Berry trading away a player that Cleveland has developed nicely as a late-round pick.

Elijah Moore

The Browns traded a second-round pick for a third-round pick to acquire Moore from the New York Jets. Moore was solid as a rookie with 538 receiving yards in 11 games. But in his second season, Moore took a step back and never solidified a consistent role. Cleveland believes that Moore can be a breakout player with them and he’s even getting looks out of the backfield.

Cedric Tillman

There is a high ceiling for the Browns’ first pick in the most recent NFL Draft. Tillman is a player that the Browns were surprised was still there in the third round. A big, oh physical receiver that has already shown he belongs.

Very unlikely he’s going anywhere

David Bell

As a rookie, Bell did not see much opportunity despite playing in 16 games. The second-year player was able to get open plenty but only came away from his rookie season with 214 receiving yards. Cleveland is going to continue to keep developing Bell and he should take a step forward in 2023.

Ball is up in the air, though I think they’re in

Austin Watkins Jr.

The breakout player of the Browns’ 2023 preseason is Watkins. Training camp had already started in West Virginia at The Greenbrier and Watkins was a free agent, most recently playing in the USFL. In each of the three preseason games, Watkins has led the Browns in receiving. Against the Eagles in the third preseason game, Watkins went off for seven catches and 139 yards, plus a score. So far with 245 yards receiving in the preseason, no player in the NFL has more.

With the way he has played during camp and the preseason games, Watkins has shown everything he needs to make the team.

Jakeem Grant Sr.

Grant is still working his way back from an Achilles injury and has not played in a preseason game yet. Though, Grant has practiced and that’s a good sign in his readiness for the season. There is $1.3 million in dead cap if the Browns cut Grant, which helps his cause to make the team. Cleveland should keep their All-Pro return man.

Waived

Anthony Schwartz

Since being drafted in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Schwartz has not been able to show he is an NFL-level receiver. The track speed is there but it doesn’t count for much when you can’t hold onto the ball. Maybe Cleveland can get Schwartz back to the practice squad.

Jaelon Darden

Availability is important and Darden has not been exactly that this training camp. Other guys have worked their way ahead of Darden, who Cleveland claimed last year after being waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mike Harley Jr.

Perhaps another guy Cleveland tries to get to the practice squad. Harley has five catches in preseason games this year and is pretty sure-handed. There is simply more talent ahead of him.

Jalen Wayne

Wayne is essentially a camp body for the Browns and the last wideout on the roster. One of those players that took advantage of the extra COVID-19 season at the college level where he played six seasons at South Alabama. 

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Cleveland currently has Marquise Goodwin on the non-football illness list and they can keep him inactive until he’s ready to return, so that he doesn’t count against the 53-man. 

The Browns won’t have this same seven man unit all year, as they hope Goodwin can make his way back from the blood clots. 

As it stands, the Browns are in a good position to start the year with a wide receiver shaped like this.

Browns LG Joel Bitonio has his contract restructured to help team in a big way

Cleveland just got some extra cash, now it’s a question of when they want to use it.

Featured image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.