Browns draft position needs: Malachi Corley, Roman Wilson top wide receiver possibilities

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Browns draft position needs: Malachi Corley, Roman Wilson top wide receiver possibilities

Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Mon, Apr 22, 2024 ·

4 min read

Malachi Corley , Western Kentucky

Corley is built like a running back, with a 5-foot-10, 207-pound frame. That's an apt comparison, seeing as one of his biggest strengths is the way he runs after the catch. He has the speed to get away from defenders, and the strength to get out of their grasp. Route running may be an issue, but Corley could learn from some of the best in the league at that aspect of the game in Amari Cooper and Jerry Jeudy , if he happened to be drafted by the Browns.

Troy Franklin , Oregon

Franklin is one of the more polarizing players in what is a fairly deep wide receiver class. The height is there at 6-foot-1. So, too, is the speed. However, he's 176 pounds, which is a tad on the skinny side of things. Franklin also struggles at times to catch the ball, with a career-high nine drops last season with the Ducks. Granted, he also had 81 catches, including 14 for touchdowns, and 1,383 receiving yards in his final year in Eugene.

Ladd McConkey , Georgia

Boy, would this one be a gift if it were to happen without the Browns making a significant jump up from No. 54. However, the team clearly has interest in the two-time national champion from Georgia, having used one of their 30 visits on him. The view of McConkey from outside the scouting world changed after a spectacular combine performance where he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, among other accomplishments. Despite a smaller size at 5-foot-11, 186 pounds, he possesses strong route-running ability and great top-end speed, as well as a positional versatility that allows for him to play across the formation. The only question, again, will be if McConkey even makes it out of Day 1 of the draft, let alone all the way to the Browns' first pick in the second round.

Roman Wilson , Michigan

The collegiate production isn't quite there for someone who played 46 career games at Michigan (107 catches, 1,707 yards, 20 touchdowns), and with a quarterback who some feel could end up in the top 10 in this year's draft. Still, there's reasons why Wilson is solidly considered a day-two selection for someone, starting with great speed and good hands. However, his 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame is a tad on the small size, which may limit where he can play in the formation. That's a small concern, no pun intended.

Xavier Worthy , Texas

Worthy may be the perfect "consolation prize" if you're looking at Texas wide receivers in this draft. While AD Mitchell is drawing most of the first-round buzz between the two Longhorns, Worthy opened a lot of eyes when he ran a record 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the combine in February. The issue with him starts with a sub-6-foot height, along with a slight 165-pound frame. There's also a question about his physicality and strength. Of course, if you can just run straight past someone, those things aren't as important. However, Browns fans also have had their experiences with receivers who run really fast — *cough* Anthony Schwartz *cough* — but struggle in other areas that short-circuit their chance at success in the NFL.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ

Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) pulls down Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley (11) after a catch on Sept. 16 in Columbus.