It’s no secret that the Browns have a roster rich with talent at key positions, a hallmark of a team built to chase championships.
This depth will likely make roster cutdown day relatively straightforward for Kevin Stefanski and his staff on August 27. However, some significant decisions remain, particularly concerning the wide receiver position.
The top of the WR depth chart is clear. Assuming Amari Cooper resolves his ongoing contract dispute before the season starts, he will be Cleveland’s No. 1 wide receiver. After trading for Jerry Jeudy in March, he’s set to be a consistent second option for quarterback Deshaun Watson as well.
Interestingly, Jeudy was utilized in various roles during spring practices. He lined up outside, in the slot, and occasionally as a backfield weapon. It’s expected that Jeudy will become Cleveland’s top slot receiver, a role primarily held by Elijah Moore in 2023.
Moore played over 900 snaps last season, with more than 40% from the slot. With Jeudy likely taking over that role, Moore might need to move outside to see more playing time.
This creates an intriguing situation, especially since the organization is reportedly very high on young wideout Cedric Tillman as he enters his second season. Tillman is favored to line up opposite Cooper as the Z receiver.
Where does this leave Moore? His versatility to play both inside and outside is valuable to the Browns, who have emphasized depth this offseason. However, if Tillman impresses during training camp and preseason, the Browns might consider trading Moore by the end of training camp.
The preseason often leads to trades due to injuries, and the Browns are no strangers to this. Last year, GM Andrew Berry traded top backup QB Josh Dobbs to the Cardinals for a fifth-round pick after the final preseason game. A similar scenario could unfold with Moore, allowing Berry to gain draft capital by trading a wideout with something to prove in the final year of his rookie deal.
Contract dynamics add another layer to this situation. After acquiring Jeudy, Berry extended his deal by three years before he played a snap for the franchise. Moore and Cooper have not received the same treatment, which is telling.
Cleveland has no financial commitments to Moore beyond this season, and moving on from him would save over $3 million in cap space. While much can change before the season starts, Moore may need to prove his worth elsewhere if he hopes for another payday.
How the team utilizes Moore and Tillman during training camp will be crucial. There’s a possibility it could end with Moore in a different uniform.
