CLEVELAND — Just when things could not possibly be any more interesting for the Browns, the team made their biggest surprise signing yet.
The Browns signed former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. What is even more shocking is despite the call by fans and the media, the Browns signed Pryor as a wide receiver.
The Browns certainly needed to add depth at the receiver position, but it would have been a more logical expectation to take a risk on Wes Welker.
This offseason is filled with the euphoria of stunning signings such as quarterback Josh McCown, wide receiver Brian Hartline, Dwayne Bowe and now Pryor.
He had a brief three-year tenure with the Oakland Raiders, the Seahawks in 2014, and most recently the Cincinnati Bengals before being claimed from waivers by the Browns.
How will the Browns use the 6’4 225-pound Pryor? Will he be a deep threat, a possible red-zone target? Can he become a weapon on kick and punt returns? The key for the Browns is make him use his number one strength which is speed.
Now, defenses need schemes to stop Cleveland’s small and quicker receivers in the form of Taylor Gabriel, Andrew Hawkins and Travis Benjamin in addition to the more physical receivers the forementioned Pryor, Bowe and Hartlline.
At best, this is a low-risk, high-reward gamble for Cleveland on Pryor. If Pryor is a success and manages to give Cleveland another tall and physical outside threat, then it is a success. If Pryor fails to catch on to the required nuances of the wide receiver position, then it will be an abject failure for the Browns.
Considering their current roster sans Josh Gordon, Pryor is in the best spot possible to succeed. The question is; will he embrace it and challenge himself to do so?