The Cleveland Browns finished a disappointing 5-12 last season. The team ended the year by parting ways with head coach Kevin Stefanski and hiring former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as his replacement.
Last season, the team used three different quarterbacks, including former Colorado Buffalo star Shedeur Sanders. He encountered challenges throughout the season, passing for 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and ten interceptions.
Advertisement
He is expected to have a chance to earn the starting position next season, but he will need support, particularly from the wide receivers. Last season, Jerry Jeudy was the top performer among the wide receivers, accumulating only 602 yards and two touchdowns. The lack of a reliable No. 1 option created challenges for whoever was playing quarterback.
That’s why Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling believes the team might consider selecting a wide receiver in the second round. He anticipates the team will be interested in Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Chris Brazzell.
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) catches the ball in the end zone.© Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
He had an excellent season last year, totaling 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. This earned him first-team All-SEC and third-team AP All-American honors. He could come in and instantly be the Browns’ No. 1 option and give them a threat they didn’t have last season.
Advertisement
Brazzell’s potential fit in Cleveland centers on something the offense has been missing: a true go-to option. His ability to stretch the field while also winning in contested situations gives him the profile of a receiver who can handle top coverage and still produce. That’s a critical piece for an offense that lacked both explosiveness and reliability on the outside.
His presence could fundamentally change how defenses approach the Browns. Instead of compressing the field and daring Cleveland’s receivers to win one-on-one, opponents would have to account for Brazzell as a legitimate vertical and red-zone threat. That spacing alone could open up opportunities for the rest of the offense, from underneath routes to the running game.
For Sanders, that kind of weapon could be transformative. A quarterback trying to establish himself benefits greatly from having a receiver who can create separation and make plays on imperfect throws. Brazzell offers that margin for error, giving Sanders a clearer path to developing confidence and consistency.
Advertisement
If the Browns are serious about evaluating their quarterback of the future, adding a player like Brazzell isn’t just helpful; it’s essential to getting a true read on what they have.
Related: Shedeur Sanders Predicted to Pair with 1,800-Yard WR in PFF Mock NFL Draft
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.