Hue Jackson, Sashi Brown Explain Why Browns Took 4 WRs in 2016 NFL Draft

The NFL draft gives teams around the league an opportunity to select players who can fill needs at specific positions. 

By trading the No. 2 overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Cleveland Browns stockpiled numerous picks in the lower rounds. It was obvious the Browns were looking for help at wide receiver in the 2016 draft, as they took four in the first five rounds:  

Round	Pick (Overall)	Player	Position	School
1	15	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
4	114	Ricardo Louis	WR	Auburn
5	154	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA
5	172	Rashard Higgins	WR	Colorado St.

New head coach Hue Jackson explained his reasoning to Andrew Gribble of the team's official website:

"

I said when I got here that I was looking to improve that position. I wanted to get some bigger targets on our football team, but I’m also very happy with the group we had. I think you can never have too much talent or competition at that position because I think it helps improve your quarterback position.

You have to have targets for him to throw at, and we have accomplished that in this draft.

"

Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown also commented on the picks, per Gribble: "It just so happened that early and then late again, there were some wide receivers that were available to us that we liked and did add."

In terms of size, three of the four receivers are 6'1" or taller—the exception being the 5'11" Corey Coleman, who was regarded as one of the top receivers in this year's draft. 

Cleveland looks to be entrenched in a quarterback competition featuring Josh McCown, Robert Griffin III and possibly Cody Kessler—drafted in the third round out of USC—and these rookies give the team an opportunity to revamp the aerial attack.

Tight end Gary Barnidge led Cleveland with last season 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns, as the Browns received little from the wide receiver position, which once again missed the suspended Josh Gordon.

Player	Receptions	Yards	TD
Travis Benjamin	68	966	5
Brian Hartline	46	523	2
Taylor Gabriel	28	241	0
Darius Jennings	14	117	0

Gordon last played a full season in 2013, when he led the league with 1,646 yards, and is suspended again for 2016—this time for at least a year.

Adding depth at wide receiver is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't immediately solve anything as the Browns try to turn things around to get out of the NFL's basement. Cleveland and its fans will know better if this draft was a success as the offseason progresses and these rookies have the opportunity to settle into the team's playbook.

Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.