Do The Cleveland Browns Have The Best Receiving Corps In NFL?
There may be some truth in the words Jarvis Landry spoke when he said he’s the best receiver in the NFL. While many have bashed the former Dolphin for his strong words, he might be on to something. What Landry brings to the Cleveland Browns is production, but he also provides a bit of swag that’s been missing.
Landry is in a division that houses such talents as Antonio Brown and A.J. Green. Not forgetting to mention, he’s now paired with Josh Gordon and many believe, he’s not even the best receiver on his own team. But that’s okay. Because when you pair Landry and Gordon together, they may just be a part of the best corps in the NFL.
[MarkAds]Over the last two seasons, how many receivers caught more balls than Landry (206)? What happens if Gordon was never suspended? But we also must take into account the QB situation for the Browns. The Pittsburgh Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger and his two Super Bowl rings. The Bengals have Andy Dalton and his four playoff appearances, and the Baltimore Ravens can rely on Super Bowl-winning QB Joe Flacco. If the Browns were to ever find stability at this position, there’s no telling where their receivers will rank.
Well now, it seems they finally have that with Tyrod Taylor. But is Taylor good enough to turn Gordon and Landry into the next, that’s the thing, who will they become? There’s no one like this unit.
Looking over the league and there’s only a handle of teams at the receiver position who can match what the Cleveland Browns should be able to accomplish this year. Brown has no real help in Pittsburgh. The Patriots are shuffling playmakers, and the Bengals are just A.J. Green and whoever they decide to throw opposite him. But where is that one-two combo who can actually give Gordon and Landry a challenge? The scary part is, it doesn’t end there.
The Browns have a set of TEs in David Njoku and Seth Devalve who combined for 65 receptions for 781 yards and five touchdowns in 2017. But then, this is where the Browns really have the advantage over most teams. Duke Johnson is not just a running back, but he’s been the Browns’ most reliable pass catcher the last three seasons. Johnson has accumulated 188 receptions for 1741 yards. Now, what other team has that type of production coming from their corps?
Can Any Team Match The Cleveland Browns Through The Air?
Then we throw in what is expected from Landry. Although he has taken his fair share of criticism, how can we forget his 400 receptions for 4038 yards in just four seasons? Then you have Gordon. Before his troubles started, Gordon caught 87 passes for 1646 yards in 2013. If he’s fully back, who’s to say he can’t challenge the likes of Brown, Green, and Julio Jones for top honors in the league?
To recap, the Browns will throw out an offense with one receiver coming off 112 receptions. On the opposite side of him is another receiver who once led the league in receiving, and two TEs who combined for 60+ catches. Then in the backfield, they have two running backs in Carlos Hyde and Johnson who combined for 133 receptions in 2017. Wow!
When discussing the top pass-catching teams in the NFL, The Browns will be over-looked due to their record. But a closer look will easily reveal that there is not another team in the NFL with this type of production coming from their skill players. Not the Steelers, Bengals, Saints, Eagles or Patriots. The Browns are making a name for themselves under-the-radar and if the NFL is not careful, they could very well be the best offense in the NFL at the end of the season.
[BXReporter]
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
