Analyzing the Cleveland Browns' Dark Horse Receivers

The Cleveland Browns wide-receiving corps has gone through a huge change this offseason.

Noticeable departures are Kellen Winslow Jr. and Joe Jurevicious, and it is assumed that Donte Stallworth will be gone by the time the season begins because he faces vehicular manslaughter charges in Florida.

The receivers who stayed are ex-Pro Bowler Braylon Edwards, Syndric Steptoe, Joshua Cribbs, Paul Hubbard, and Lance Leggett.

The new receivers are a mix of veterans and rookies: Mike Furrey, David Patten, Brian Robiskie, and Mohammed Massaquoi all come with certain roles in mind.

With all these receivers, the Browns, meaning Eric Mangini, have many decisions to make.

Mangini has stated that no position is set and all players will have to earn playing time. Although that is a stern statement, some players seem safe.

The receivers whom most fans seem to think will make the roster are Edwards, Cribbs, Robiskie, Furrey, Patten, and Massaquoi.

Many speculate that Robiskie or Furrey will start opposite Edwards. They assume that these two are the leading candidates because of Furrey's past success and Robiskie having been the Browns' first second-round choice.

A valuable player last season was Cribbs. He was a beast on special teams, both tackling and returning, and could fit into a role similar to Brad Smith, a receiver for Mangini's New York Jets in 2008.

One last receiver who seems safe is David Patten. He is a solid veteran who, if healthy, can be productive.

This leaves many other receivers uncertain of their place in the organization's plans. I call these players the Cleveland Browns' Dark Horse Receivers.

Mohammed Massaquoi—Although he was a second-round pick for the Browns, nothing is close to being guaranteed for him. He is overshadowed by the drafting of the sure-handed Robiskie and the signing of veteran receivers.

He will have to get past being the Browns' second-choice receiver along with many other challenges.

In his first three seasons at Georgia, Massaquoi had an issue with dropsies. He got his head together his senior year, but he will have to concentrate to keep those dropsies from happening again.

He may have a spot on the roster but will have to give it everything he has to get playing time.

Syndric Steptoe—A seventh-round pick from 2007, Steptoe was a very fortunate player last year. No one expected him to start last year, but he did.

When Donte Stallworth went down on opening day, Steptoe was handed the starting role opposite Edwards. He started the next two games also.

In five starts, Steptoe managed 10 receptions for 57 yards and no touchdowns. His totals for the 2008 season were 19 receptions for 182 yards and no touchdowns.

It is very doubtful he will see as much playing time this year. Expect to see Steptoe on special teams. He did have a good preseason, though.

Check out some of his plays.

Paul Hubbard—A sixth-round pick of the Browns in 2008, Hubbard saw no playing time during the regular season.

He played for the Wisconsin Badgers from 2005 to 2007. He had his best year in '06, when he caught 38 passes for 627 yards and five touchdowns. His stats fell his senior year because he missed seven games.

Being 6'4", or at least listed as such, and weighing in at somewhere around 215 pounds, Hubbard is a good-size target.

Hubbard, as well as Steptoe, saw playing time in the preseason. Also like Steptoe, Hubbard will struggle for attention behind the early draft picks and signed veterans. If he can get substantial playing time, maybe in the redzone, Hubbard could prove himself worthy of a roster spot.

Also, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.38 and being a track star in college (the NCAA indoor and outdoor long-jump champion as a freshman), Hubbard could actually prove himself very special in 2009.

The first video on this link is of Hubbard making an impressive catch during the 2008 preseason.

Lance Leggett—An undrafted free agent signee from last season, Leggett didn't play at all during the regular season, just like Hubbard. He played for the University of Miami from 2004 to 2007.

Also like Hubbard, Leggett saw his best year of college football in 2006. He had 38 receptions for 584 yards and four touchdowns. He missed four games during his senior year and wasn't the same when he returned, which might have been a reason why he wasn't drafted.

Listed at 6'3" and around 200 pounds, Leggett is a decent-size target as well. Just like all the players mentioned, Leggett will have a hard time getting attention behind the  drafted and veteran receivers.

The first two videos on this link are of Leggett during the 2008 preseason.

Jordan Norwood—Being an undrafted free agent signee this season could mean one of two things for Norwood: Either he will receive less attention because he was undrafted, or he will receive more attention because he was chosen by Mangini.

From Penn State, Norwood is another Hawaiian added to the club—second-round choice David Veikune is also Hawaiian. In his tenure at Penn State, Norwood was very impressive.

In his freshman year, Norwood caught 32 passes for 422 yards and no touchdowns.

In his sophomore year, he had 45 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns.

In his junior year, he had 40 receptions for 484 yards and five touchdowns.

His last year in college he had 41 receptions for 637 yards and six touchdowns, despite missing two games.

Being a small guy at 5'11" and 170 pounds, Norwood brings something to the Browns that the others don't.

That could help or hurt.

Either way, he will have a hard time getting playing time for the same reasons the others will.

Like I said before, the Cleveland Browns' receiving corps has changed considerably, and all these receivers will have to fight for their shot. Look for one of the receivers mentioned to surprise in the upcoming season.