The 2019 NFL Scouting Combine begins Tuesday, Feb. 26 in Indianapolis, with on-field work commences three days later. The wide receivers, along with quarterbacks and tight ends, are set to audition for teams on Saturday afternoon.
With the vast improvements general manager John Dorsey made last offseason, the Cleveland Browns are poised to focus on a few select positions in this year’s draft and free agency period.
One of those groups is the wide receiving corps.
By no means is this a glaring need. Jarvis Landry made the Pro Bowl in his first season in Cleveland. Antonio Callaway showed great growth throughout his rookie season. Rashard Higgins took a major step forward, and Breshad Perriman revived his career with big plays in the second half of the year (Higgins and Perriman are not under contract for 2019 but are expected to be back).
However, in order to help quarterback Baker Mayfield take the next step, he needs another big-time weapon.
Landry runs nearly 60 percent of his routes from the slot, according to Player Profiler. Perriman, despite his impressive ten-game stretch, is best utilized as a situational deep threat. Callaway and Higgins are both strong young talents, but neither are elite receivers – at least not right now.
The archetype the Browns should be looking for? A physical, dynamic downfield playmaker. This is where the combine shifts into focus.
Though not a stacked class, there are options on Days One, Two and Three that the Browns can target that fit the mold.
D.K. Metcalf – University of Mississippi
If his medicals get a green light, Metcalf will likely leave the combine as the consensus WR1. He was listed by Ole Miss at 6-4, 230 pounds, but based on recent images of him, Metcalf may weigh in slightly heavier (not in a bad way; he is absolutely shredded).
Metcalf maximizes his frame, easily beating press coverage, as was evidenced by the first play of the game against Alabama in 2018.
The Draft Network’s Jon Ledyard is bullish on the athletic freak, saying Metcalf has no true weaknesses outside of a few intricacies. Ledyard mentions that if Metcalf tests as he is expected to, he will be talked about as one of the best size-speed products in a long time.
As previously mentioned, medicals will be huge for Metcalf after he missed the last five games of the 2018 season with a neck injury. By all accounts, he is expected to be given a clean bill of health in Indy.
Metcalf would provide Mayfield with an elite downfield weapon like he has never had before. However, if the Browns wish to target the Ole Miss produce, they will have to pull the trigger in the first round, if he is still available when they are on the clock.
Kelvin Harmon – North Carolina State University
Harmon is right on the fringe of being a first-round pick, and his chances of going in the top 32 picks will greatly increase if he runs well at the combine. Even if he does not blaze the track in Indy, at 6-3, 214 pounds, Harmon is still an intriguing prospect.
While not the elite physical specimen that Metcalf is, Harmon still flashes downfield playmaking ability. TDN’s Kyle Crabbs praises Harmon’s hands and contested catch ability.
However, Crabbs cautions his top-end speed is his worst trait. A strong 40-yard-dash time would go a long way toward improving his stock, perhaps pushing him into the back-end of the first round.
Harmon is a very good player that would step in and start from Day One for the Browns. He would be an excellent red zone target for Mayfield, while Harmon’s contested catch ability would pair great with Mayfield’s gunslinger mentality.
Other Day Two options
There are other Day Two options that fit the mold as well. Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry profiles similar to Harmon, but TDN’s Ledyard cautions his speed and athleticism are issues.
Riley Ridley was underutilized while at Georgia, but TDN’s Joe Marino believes Ridley has the traits to develop into a dynamic playmaker.
TDN’s Benjamin Solak compares Stanford’s J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to former New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston but says he is not as physical as his size would suggest, along with being limited athletically.
Finally, Iowa State’s Hakeem Butler rivals Harmon’s contested catch ability, but TDN’s Crabbs thinks Butler needs some grooming to develop and improve his releases and ability to beat press coverage.
Preston Williams – Colorado State University
If the name does not ring a bell, you are likely not alone. Williams flew under the radar at Colorado State this year but was once a high-profile recruit at the University of Tennessee. However, Williams was arrested in 2017 for an altercation involving a woman, and he will not be permitted to showcase his talents at the Combine.
Williams made this list for a couple reasons, though.
The NFL recently tweaked its policy that typically would not allow players who were previously convicted of domestic violence or sexual assault chargers to attend the Combine to participate in limited interviews and get medically tested. Also, Dorsey has a history of pursuing players with red flags off-the-field.
Both of those considered, though, Williams is a solid receiver who has great physical traits at 6-4, 210 pounds. Despite his size, TDN’s Brad Kelly says Williams is far too inconsistent in terms of his contested catch ability. Kelly also notes that Williams struggles with his release and does not possess overwhelming strength.
From a size-speed standpoint, Williams is excellent, and he showed his tremendous athleticism last season against Hawaii.
However, Williams has much more boom/bust potential than any other receiver listed. Factor in his off-the-field issues, and all together, Williams will likely see his name come off the board late on Day Three, if it does at all.
Williams should not be the only “big-bodied” receiver the Browns target. Still, if they can coach him up and are comfortable with him off-the-field, Williams has an opportunity to pay dividends down the road.
