The Browns don’t have a big-name, No. 1 wideout. But they hope that some of the guys on the depth chart will play like one.
As Browns G.M. Tom Heckert explained it on PFT Live earlier this month, the Browns have specific hopes for Greg Little, a rookie second-round pick in 2011 who didn’t play at all in 2010 and who had limited prep time for his first NFL season.
Based on the first OTA of the 2012 offseason, coach Pat Shurmur likes what he sees from Little.
“I think Greg Little looked really good to me today,” Shurmur said in comments distributed by the team. “I think he has changed his body, he looks much leaner and he was running around well. . . . I think it’s his first true offseason as a pro and I think what he has done is he has taken good care of his body. He
is much leaner looking to me than he was when he came into training camp a year ago. I think he has worked on his diet and nutrition, and has gotten himself in shape to come out here and run a lot, which receivers have to do. I think that will help his development.”
Shurmur also was happy with another past second-round pick who plays receiver for the team.
"[Mohamed Massaquoi] did a nice job out there,” Shurmur said. “I would say it’s safe to say that they are our first two right now. As you know though, sometimes you play three receivers and sometimes you play four. There are other guys in there and we could go through the whole list if you like, but I think those other guys are competing and doing well as well.”
The biggest name from the rest of the bunch is Josh Cribbs, a return ace and Wildcat threat who never really has developed into a high-end wideout. They need several of those second-tier guys to step up -- especially if rookie running back Trent Richardson draws extra attention and opens up the passing game.