For the first time since 2005, the Cleveland Browns selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft, selecting Baylor’s Corey Coleman with the No. 15 overall selection, trading back with the Tennessee Titans.
With the trade back into the middle of the first round, the Browns received the No. 15 overall pick, as well as a 2016 third-round pick (No. 76) overall and a 2017 third-round pick for the No. 8 overall pick and a 2016 sixth-round pick (No. 176 overall).
Coleman, who was my No. 1 wide receiver coming into the draft, is a steal for the Browns, who are in desperate need of a major playmaker out wide in an offense that might struggle mightily this season in the first year under head coach Hue Jackson.
The former Baylor receiver is a twitched-up athlete that excels in space and is a serious homerun threat with the ball in his hands.
Although the Browns have a major question mark at QB with Robert Griffin III and whichever rookie they draft this weekend, Coleman is a legitimate No. 1 weapon that Jackson and his offensive coaching staff should have tons of fun working with.
He still needs to work on his route running and cut down on drops (6.6 percent drops rates at Baylor), but he’s a guy that can take the top off of defenses, allowing other receivers to run free underneath.
With Coleman establishing a solid foundation at receiver for the next face of the franchise under center, it will be interesting to see how the Browns address the quarterback position over the weekend.
