The Browns receiver reminded both free-agent wideouts via Instagram they "look good in orange." He did the same with Browns' teammate Travis Benjamin, who's set to hit the market Wednesday.
Hawkins put as much thought and creativity into luring play-making receivers to Cleveland on Monday as former Browns' general manager Ray Farmer did in two years. Unless you count that time he spent bidding against himself for Dwayne Bowe's services.
The good news is the new regime values receivers and places an emphasis on the vertical passing game. (Welcome back to the 21st century, Browns.) The bad news is the coaching staff has ample work ahead of it to improve a unit that produced eight touchdowns and finished 24th in the NFL in pass plays of 20-plus yards.
No Browns' position group needs overhauling more than the receivers. Especially, if they plan to select a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. The club needs to be aggressive in free agency and the draft, while understanding Josh Gordon's potential return could be brief and contentious. Securing a starter in free agency would be a nice opening salvo, but it should not prevent the Browns from drafting one or two more receivers.
The franchise's wideout muscles atrophied during the Farmer era. It's clear new coach Hue Jackson wants to flex them again.
"You gotta have a dominant vertical threat in the National Football League to have a good offense," the Browns coach said on Jan. 14.
The club wasted no time Monday expressing an interest in Jones, according to a Cleveland.com report from Mary Kay Cabot. The Bengals' No. 2 receiver caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four TDs last season. Jackson, the former Cincinnati offensive coordinator, is a major supporter of the 6-foot-2, 198 pounder who's played opposite perennial Pro Bowler A.J. Green.
Depending on Gordon's eligibility, Jones could become the Browns' top target if they can sign him. Benjamin is coming off a breakout season with 68 catches, 966 receiving yards and five TDs, but he could be lost to free agency.
The rest of the Browns' primary receivers, when viewed as a collective, are a cause for concern:
The diminutive Hawkins, who turns 30 Thursday, played just eight games last season due to a pair of concussions. He was productive in his first year with the Browns.
Brian Hartline, 29, started to find a rhythm in the season's second half only to suffer a collarbone injury. He's caught four TDs over the past two years.
The 5-foot-8 Taylor Gabriel, a deep threat as a rookie, regressed in his second season, which included time missed with a concussion.
Bowe, 31, crept into the conversation for the worst Browns' free-agent signing since Andre Rison while catching more grief than passes. He was a healthy scratch seven times and won't be far behind Johnny Manziel on his way out the door.
That Bowe and his $9 million in guaranteed money proved to be Farmer's most significant wideout signing remains staggering. He passed on chances to take Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans and Odell Beckham Jr., while clinging to the antiquated belief a marquee receiver doesn't touch the ball enough – "10 times if he's having a great day" – to merit a high draft pick.
For the record, Justin Gilbert has one interception and nine pass breakups in two seasons.
The 2016 draft class doesn't possess the high-end wideouts as in recent years, but that doesn't mean the Browns should ignore it. Although compensatory picks haven't been awarded, the Browns could have as many as 11 total selections next month. Using one early and another in the middle rounds on receivers would not be the worst idea.
Ohio State's Michael Thomas makes for a decent option at No. 32. (I'll let esteemed colleague Doug Lesmerises explain why this selection makes sense at a later date.) And we've seen what gold the Steelers can mine from the mid to late rounds in the forms of Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.
It would be great to think the oft-suspended Gordon returns motivated and committed to the organization that took a chance on him out of Baylor. It also would be foolhardy. The former All Pro is likely one failed drug test from being a former player.
His decision to attend last weekend's UFC fights in Las Vegas with Manziel either demonstrates a shocking lack of judgment for a receiver trying to get back into Roger Goodell's good graces or a middle finger to the Browns.
Unfortunately, Gordon's awesome talent doesn't come a la carte. You get the whole package and it's up to Jackson and the Browns to decide whether it's worth the trouble.
In the meantime, they must remain diligent in their pursuit of wideouts. A rookie quarterback needs a reliable target other than Gary Barnidge if he hopes to succeed.
Link : http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2016/03/cleveland_browns_mandate_in_po.html
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