The Cleveland Browns did not draft a top wide receiver this year despite losing Josh Gordon for the season to a suspension. Instead, they opted to sign veterans like Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline in hopes that a change of scenery would bring out better numbers from them. However, through Week 6 of the season, the Browns are getting better numbers from players that were already on their roster to begin with which is leaving certain futures in question.
According to head coach Mike Pettine, Bowe is no longer a top-four wide receiver for the Browns. The team signed the former Kansas City star to a two-year contract that guarantees him $9 million and yet Bowe has not recorded a catch and has been inactive for a majority of the season. Now to the veteran's credit he has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but that does not appear to be the only reason Bowe is not on the field for Cleveland.
"We make that decision each week," Pettine said, via Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan. "We build a plan and see where we are from a depth standpoint. We talk about the minimum position requirements. The top 4 guys [at wide receiver] are entrenched."
Pettine is referring to Travis Benjamin, Taylor Gabriel, Hartline and Marlon Moore as the top receiving threats. Throw in Gary Barnidge who is having a breakout year at tight end and the receiving threat Duke Johnson has turned out to be and there is simply no room for Bowe.
So what does Cleveland do with their high-priced receiver? According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the chances Bowe heads anywhere this season are slim to none. With the trade deadline approaching, no team is going to take interest in the veteran that has had two passes thrown his way all season. Mix in the contract and Bowe is unwanted this season. Instead, the Browns will simply have to admit mistake and likely release him when the season is over.
The good news for Cleveland is they simply do not need the receiver. Benjamin is having a big year with the arm of Josh McCown while Barnidge is proving his worth on the field and in fantasy football. The Browns are also benefitting from Johnson's versatility on the field as he continues to lead the team in rushing while being a top threat on passing downs. Bowe has been out of the mix from the start and is now merely an afterthought in Cleveland.
