Despite all of the offseason moves the Cleveland Browns made, there are still a lot of questions regarding their offense heading into 2015. There is plenty of doubt regarding both Josh McCown and Johnny Manziel while wide receiver depth could also be an issue. Right now the only position that appears totally set is the running back spot which could cause a few more offseason moves before training camp begins.
According to Marc Sessler of NFL.com, Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins are the starting three wide receivers for the Browns. Rob Housler will take over Jordan Cameron's spot at tight end. Outside of those four, there are a lot of questions regarding quality for the Browns. They are left with Taylor Gabriel, Travis Benjamin and Marlon Moore as their best starting options. That might not be enough to get the job done especially if the quarterback play is spotty.
SportingNews.com reports that the Browns are one of the teams being linked to the remaining free agent wide receivers this offseason. James Jones, Wes Welker and Reggie Wayne are the three best available players currently on the market and would sign for cheap contracts. Welker could slide right into the slot position of any offense while Wayne and Jones would give McCown and Manziel another downfield threat to work with.
Right now the Browns will carry on with the players on the roster. Hartline signed in the offseason and noted that he believes in the direction the Browns are headed despite some of their questionable draft picks.
"It's important to have a good track record, any team would say that, but I believe in the vision in Cleveland," Hartline said, via FOX Sports. "I believe in where they want to head and to me looking from an outside point of view, I remember a 7-4 football team. I look at a defense that's really put together and I look at an offensive line that's really put together, near the top in the league and those are building points. I think Cleveland, (I mean) we, have a lot of things established. You always want to add more pieces and hopefully, I can do my part and come in and raise the level of expectations. That's all I'm trying to do."
The pressure is one players like Hartline and Bowe to form quick chemistry with the quarterbacks. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, McCown is the likely starter for 2015. He is in need of a bounce back year after struggling with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Having wide receivers playing their best will certainly help that effort.
