Browns Trade Corey Coleman in Semi-Puzzling Move
The Browns traded WR Corey Coleman to the Buffalo Bills for a 7th round pick in 2020. Coleman, entering his third season, has struggled tremendously with hand injuries and drops. Last year with the Browns, Coleman grabbed 23 balls for 305 yards and two touchdowns. He had that horrific drop in the final drive of the final game in Pittsburgh, a microcosm of his time in Cleveland.
Despite Coleman’s struggles, this move is puzzling to me.
The Browns are for sure down Ricardo Louis for the entire season with a neck injury. Additionally, there are big question marks with star wide receiver Josh Gordon who is still away from the team dealing with some mental health issues. His return timetable is not known and one more slip up could mean a banishment from the league.
The Browns drafted wide receiver Antonio Callaway out of Florida in the 4th round, who hasn’t played football since 2016. So far in camp, he has shown signs of success, but there are question marks with him as well. He just got charged with possession of marijuana and will be in court later this week. This came after Coleman was traded.
I was willing to give Coleman another year to try and prove himself, especially with these new questions at the wide receiver position. Here’s a reason why the Browns may have traded him:
One random part of the #Browns trade of WR Corey Coleman: Cleveland gets $3.5M in fully guaranteed salary that was in escrow at the league office returned immediately. So, a little cash freed up for potential use. ???
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 6, 2018
Jarvis Landry is the only proven receiver currently practicing on the team. Rashard Higgins has potential to be a solid receiver, but he has yet to prove anything either. The Browns will also receive production from tight end, David Njoku.
The Browns basically gave Coleman away. He must have been a deterrent to the team because they are are now thin at receiver.
The preseason hasn’t even begun yet and the Browns are down three receivers (until Gordon returns). I find it very risky for the team to get rid of Coleman, a former first round pick, for basically nothing in return.
But, we must trust GM John Dorsey.
Image: ESPN
