The Cleveland Browns Should Consider Another Receiver in Drew Carter

It is to nobody's surprise that the Cleveland Browns receiving corps has changed considerably from the start of the offseason to now. Key players that left are Kellen Winslow Jr, Joe Jurevicious, and, in time, Donte Stallworth.

They retained top receiver Braylon Edwards, along with Syndric Steptoe and Joshua Cribbs. They added good depth with free agents Mike Furrey and David Patten. They also got some good players in rookie drafties Brian Robiskie and Mohammed Massaquoi.

Although they have a strong depth at the position, they have no second receiver. Furrey and Robiskie are the lead candidates now, but Furrey isn't proven and Robiskie is a rookie.

It seems as if one more possible second receiver could be necessary. If the Browns were to sign any free agent for the job, they should strongly consider Drew Carter.

Carter was originally a fifth-round draft choice for the Carolina Panthers in 2004. He also tore his ACL in his rookie year, causing him to sit out for the season. He came into 2005 without a roster spot, but earned it midway through the season.

In 2005, he only played in three games collecting five receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown. His first career reception that year was a 44-yard touchdown pass.

The following year, 2006, Carter would play 14 games and start two. He missed some time due to ankle injuries. In the playing time he had, he racked up 28 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

The year after that, 2007, Carter stayed healthy. He played in every game and starter seven of them. In that time, he caught 38 passes for 517 yards and four touchdowns. 

he signed with the Oakland Raiders in 2008, but as said before he would tear his ACL and miss the entire season. In the 2008 preseason, Carter had two receptions for 11 yards and no touchdowns.

Coming off of a 2008 season in which he did not play, due to an ACL tear in his knee, he will be looking for a cheap one year contract in which he can prove he is still worth something.

Also he is a native of Solon, OH, and attended Ohio State University. He is a hometown boy who might enjoy playing for his hometown team.

The Browns should give him a chance. He is still young at 27 years old, and could be a great player if he pans out. If he doesn't pan out, then at least they tried on him. The reward is well worth the risk.

A simple breakdown is here.

The Reward: If he pans out, the Browns have a receiving corps eight players deep. Braylon Edwards, Drew Carter, Brian Robiskie, Mike Furrey, Mohammed Massaquoi, David Patten, Syndric Steptoe, and Joshua Cribbs.

Edwards and Carter could be the starters. Edwards is a deep threat and Carter has the potential to be. With two deep threats, the opposing defense would struggle. If they double covered these two, the other receivers would be wide open.

Robiskie and Furrey would be the backups, the ones that would be wide open if the defense double-covered Edwards and Carter. They are possession receivers with good hands that would thrive in their roles. Also, Robiskie wouldn't be depended on as a starting rookie.

Patten and Massaquoi would get their playing time as well, and the limited playing time could help Massaquoi grow. He doesn't the surest hands, but sitting and learning would benefit him greatly.

Steptoe could find a role somewhere, and Cribbs will indefinitely get his playing time. He can be used in a wildcat formation, QB sneaks, running plays, and be used as a basic receiver.

The Risk: If Carter doens't work out, then the Browns still have plenty of depth with their current receivers. Edwards would start, leaving the rest to compete for roles.

And let's just say that Carter does well for the Browns on a one-year contract and then leaves via free agency. The Browns would still be in a good situation because then Robiskie and Massaquoi would have a year under their belt before trying to become starters. 

I think a cheap one year deal is well worth the risk.