Cleveland Browns: Rookie Wide Receiver Carlton Mitchell Can Be an Impact Player

Carlton Mitchell, the 6'3" 215lb wide receiver from South Florida can have an immediate impact on the Browns. He fell to the Browns in the sixth round where they quickly pounced on him.

He has an elite size-speed combination with a 4.49 40 yard dash at the combine and huge hands and was projected by many, including CBS Sports, to be a second or third round pick. Michell ran 4.40 40 at his pro day and is reputed to have run in the range of 4.27.

After watching video of his combine workout and season highlights (www.carltonmitchell.net) I can definitely attest to his explosiveness for his size.

He has the prototypical build of a No. 1 receiver and can go up and make a catch in traffic and is willing to go across the middle.

In 2009 he had 40 receptions for 706 yards and four touchdowns.

The major knock on Mitchell is that he uses his chest to catch too many balls. This is a correctable flaw with hard work on the jugs machine and with Browns quarterbacks and whoever else he can get to throw to him.

His route running needs some refinement which is why he projects primarily as a vertical threat early in his career.

The Browns current receivers are Josh Cribbs, Mohamed Massaquoi, Chansi Stuckey, Brian Robiskie, and Jake Allen. There is not a true vertical threat in the group and that is where Mitchell can have the biggest impact as a rookie.

With Mitchell stretching the field, that would open things up for Massaquoi, Stuckey, Cribbs and to a lesser extent Robiskie underneath and on the intermediate routes.

Of course the Browns could still add a veteran receiver before the start of the season and depending upon what type of receiver he is will depend on what happens to Mitchell.

If he is a burner, then Mitchell will probably be relegated to the bench and special teams. However, if he is a possession receiver, i.e. a Joe Jurevicius, then Mitchell will still have a chance to work his way into the lineup at the expense of Robiskie or Stuckey.

According to contributor, Richard Baird, Mike Holmgren identified speed as the biggest need for the Browns receiving corp headed into the draft. Mitchell fills that need and gives Delhomme a nice, big target to hit while he does it.

Mitchell is a deeply religious young man who is close to his family and has a wonderful reputation as a humanitarian.