What it’s like to cover the NBA Finals: While We’re Waiting
June 5, 2017Bullpen and Bats save the Indians from shame in Kansas City
June 5, 2017After the Kansas City Chiefs released wide receiver Jeremy Maclin over the weekend (post June 1 roster casualty), CBS Sports’ Sean Wagner-McGough believes the Browns are at the top of the list to land the veteran wideout:
The Browns aren’t as bad as you think they are. Their strategy of stockpiling draft picks, retooling their offensive line, and not overspending on costly free agents is working, even if they’re still a couple years away from competing.Maclin would speed up the rebuilding process. He’d be the team’s best receiver, would be a great mentor for Corey Coleman, and would alleviate the conditions for whichever young developing quarterback (Cody Kessler or DeShone Kizer) wins the starting job.
There’s also this: The Browns have more than $60 million in cap space.
He is a wide receiver that is known for his speed and ability to beat opposing cornerbacks and catch the long ball. Dealing with a nagging groin injury in 2016, he totaled just 44 catches for 536 yards and two touchdowns. In each of the two seasons prior, he surpassed the 1,000-yard and 85-catch mark. Since his rookie season in 2009, Maclin has caught at least 63 passes and eclipsed the 850-yard mark along with scoring at least five touchdowns per season, other than his injury-plagued year in 2016.
The 6-foot, 200-pound receiver would bring plenty of experience to the Browns. Maclin has started in 100 of his 102 total games so in his career. Still only 29 years old, the wide out would help the wide receivers in almost all areas. If healthy, he could lineup opposite of Kenny Britt and make Corey Coleman the third receiver with rookie tight end David Njoku roaming the field too. Maclin would also provide the Browns offense insurance in case Coleman’s nagging hamstrings continue to bother him. Not too bad, eh?
The Browns were 1-15 in 2016, but the culture around the locker room appears to be changing under head coach Hue Jackson. It may seem like the Cleveland Browns have been rebuilding every year, but the Dawg Pound and the team’s front office seem to have hope that the Browns are on the way up, while adding plenty of talent both in free agency and in the draft. The Browns may be one of the worst team’s in the league once again, but they should be far more competitive. Maclin could want to be part of the hero’s guild that returns competitive football to Cleveland.
17 Comments
First thing I thought when I saw this on the Four Letter ticker…”I wonder if the Browns will kick the tires on this guy.”
“still only 29 years old … ” … isn’t that like 39 years old in moneyball years ??
… i was hoping we’d pursue another veteran like Victor Cruz … Maclin would work as well.
I was somewhat opposed to the concept of bringing in another veteran wide receiver because I think our 2nd year receivers need to play, but with Coleman looking like a consistent soft-tissue-injury problem, I am changing my tune. Bring in Maclin.
I don’t think you really want to bring in Victor Cruz, he hasn’t been right since his injury. Hasn’t had a productive season since 2013. http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CruzVi00.htm
If Maclin looks at the Browns cap and still has realistic money expectations this could work. But given his miles and recent fall off Sashi will not and should not overpay. There a reason KC wanted no part of the rest of that big contract after seeing his attitude and performance up close for a couple of years. They obviously didn’t think he was crucial to Mahomes’s development.
I’d toss him a 1 or 2 year deal, but nothing more than that.
hi PAT … i agree , but of the veterans available , i would’ve taken a chance on Cruz … he only signed a 1-year deal with the Bears. Not sure how much , but it should’ve been reasonable / low risk.
We drafted four wide receivers last year. Why bring in a vet on a short term contract to take away reps from those guys?
We did the same thing a couple years ago when the Chiefs cut Dwayne Bowe, this should go better…. right?
Yeah, that they released him is a red flag for sure. He could be Victor Cruz with a more recent injury.
Superbowl!
Those guys all stink. Maclin becomes the #1 guy the day he signs. I think the Browns could not find a better guy to bring on. I feel that Corey Coleman is a mini-Maclin, and he could learn a LOT from a vet like that.
We still do not have a threat to come out of the slot. Maclin’s experience could provide that. Better yet, I could imagine Coleman’s speed and agility working better for him as a mismatch against smaller #3 corners and whatever safety gets assigned to him.
I would have to think that Maclin would at least put up Miles Austin numbers and clutch receptions.
Likening Maclin to Bowe is for people that prefer to make non- informed statements. Watch Hannity often?
SLAM! You got me! You’re so cool! I bet you watch all the best news shows don’t you!