The Cleveland Browns have locked in some wide receiver depth ahead of the start of the offseason program.
The Browns signed six players tendered as exclusive-rights free agents, a relatively routine but important move that helps maintain roster continuity heading into the offseason.
The group includes wide receivers Malachi Corley and Jamari Thrash, as well as tight end Brenden Bates, linebacker Winston Reid, longsnapper Rex Sunahara and kicker Andre Szmyt.
ERFAs are players with two or fewer accrued NFL seasons whose contracts have expired. Because of their limited service time, they have no negotiating leverage if their team extends a qualifying tender — meaning they cannot negotiate with other teams.
Once tendered, the only options are to sign the deal — typically a one-year contract at or near the league minimum — or sit out the season. By signing all six tendered players, the Browns effectively secured low-cost depth pieces without entering free agency.
Browns Receiver Depth is Thin
Corley and Thrash are not big names but provide depth for a Browns wide receiver room that has little of it.
Corley saw action in 13 games with five starts last season. He registered 11 receptions for 79 yards. He was also a weapon in the run game, adding 13 rushes for 127 yards.
Thrash had a strong preseason and looked like he would step into a larger role after being selected by the Browns in the fifth round in 2024. But he appeared in nine games last season and recorded 10 receptions for 107 yards.
The unit is headlined by Jerry Jeudy. He’s coming off a down year, catching just 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns. But Jeudy has shown Pro Bowl upside, snagging 90 passes for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns during his first year in Cleveland.
The Browns should also get a motivated Cedric Tillman, who has yet to break out in Cleveland. Tillman — a former third-round pick — is heading into a contract year.
Cleveland also has Isaiah Bond heading into his second year. The speedster finished his rookie season with 338 yards on 18 receptions.
Browns Will Look to Draft for Receiver Help
The Browns hold two first-round picks, and it’s likely that at least one of those will be to add a weapon at wide receiver. General manager Andrew Berry said the team likes its current group but is open to adding weapons.
“I think we can add all across the offense to be honest,” Berry said. “We’re really pleased with some of the younger players we have. Jerry [Jeudy] is gonna be a big part of it, and we’re pleased with Isaiah’s rookie year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t add to the arsenal. Malachi [Corley], he carved out a nice role. But we probably look at it more like global weapons and global pass catchers and Harold [Fannin Jr.] would be a part of that, obviously. Q is a weapon for us. You want to look at it as the overall infrastructure as opposed to one position.”
Matt Miller of ESPN predicted that Cleveland will add Makai Lemon with the No. 6 overall pick.
“My top-ranked wide receiver in the class goes to the Browns, who are undergoing a youth movement at the skill positions. Lemon can create space for himself and knows how to vary his routes,” Miller said.
Another name on the radar for the Cleveland Browns is Carnell Tate, a polished pass catcher out of Ohio State. He totaled 875 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last season with the Buckeyes and is viewed as one of the more NFL-ready receivers in the class.
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