Still think this young man will become a top WR if he gets enough reps and opportunities to show his skills. Looking at some depth charts online and most have him placed at the bottom of the pile. I hope he earns a chance to prove he's going to be an impact guy if he gets a fair break. If not with the Browns then another NFL Team. jmho
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Stabbs - you are quite aware that Derrick Willies is one of my favorite Browns. He has had quite the journey to the Browns. He starts his college career at Iowa, and realizes it isn't for him. He goes the JUCO route to Trinity Valley Community College - and then on to Texas Tech. The Browns sign him as a UDFA in March of 2018 from there.
So it is safe to say he had to work his ass off just to get noticed and make it to the NFL. Kinds of reminds me of our QB.
Speaking of our QB, this is the only gift of Hue's infinite stupidity that bore fruit by keeping Baker as the "backup" QB last training camp. These two worked extensively in camp. Yes Derrick had a bit of the "dropsies" issues, but he kept working at it, and working at it, and working at it. Remember, you can't coach 6'4" and speed.
By the time we needed him the most (OT against the Rats) - he was ready and he delivered. The collarbone injury the next week in practice was very unfortunate - and ended his season.
If we FF to 2019 - what once was a weakness (two seasons ago), the wide receivers are now an unquestioned strength of the team. I see us keeping 6 WRs on the final 53. That top 4 are so set in stone that I saw Moses climbing Mount Sinai with a hammer and chisel in tow.
OBJ
Landry
Callaway
Higgins
and I say that Willies has done enough to earn the #5 spot. That leaves UDFA Dorian Baker, FA Jaelen Strong, FA Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, '18D6 pick Damion Ratley, and FAs DJ Montgomery, Blake Jackson, and Ish Hyman fighting for just 1 or MAYBE 2 spots at the max.
Yeah, I know Brooksie and glad to hear you're still alive and well I presume. From what I'm reading the flavour of the month currently is Ishmael Hyman. He's got ST star written all over him besides being a very promising wideout. This is certainly a change from a few years ago when the Browns were willing to tryout ushers they were so desperate for roster talent. Thanks to Sashi/Dorsey we're slowly turning things around.
From the linked article:
No one in the receiver room seems to have helped their stock more over the first five days than Derrick Willies.
At 6-foot-4, Willies is the tallest and longest receiver on the roster and has been incredibly reliable, showing the ability to get open and make plays day in and day out. On Monday, when Beckham did not participate in the team periods, it was Willies who stepped into his role as the starter and hauled in multiple passes from Mayfield against the starting defense. That, combined with his special teams prowess, has Willies in strong position right now.
https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/zegura-s-deep-dive-analyzing-the-offense-after-5-days-of-browns-training-camp
If we don't keep Willies, we're losing a very good player who is only starting to tap into his skill-set and talent. jmho
You are correct, my friend. For the first time in a LOT of years, many of the soon to be released Browns players on the cut to 53 - will find their way onto other NFL rosters. And they WILL play significant roles for their new teams in 2019.
According to the linked article, 5 of the presumed 6 WR spots on the final 53 are locked up.
WR 1 - OBJ
WR 2 - Callaway
WR 3 - Landry
WR 4 - Higgins
WR 5 - Willies
That leaves UDFA Dorian Baker, FA Jaelen Strong, FA Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi, '18D6 pick Damion Ratley, and FAs DJ Montgomery and Ish Hyman fighting for just 1 or MAYBE 2 spots at the max.
I think given that scenario - FA Jaelen Strong makes it as WR 6 based on size and NFL experience. Damion Ratley and Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi make it to the practice squad. The rest would be released.
The practice squad can hold up to a maximum of 10 players - so I highly doubt you keep more than 2 players at any position group.
.
That is my look into the crystal ball on August 5th, before any pre-season games. And we are always fearful of the great equalizer - injuries.
https://footballmaven.io/browns/browns-maven-features/cleveland-browns-derrick-willies-appears-to-have-all-but-locked-up-the-fifth-receiver-spot-LGqLsiR9uUykCsDvHL7Jlw/
Willies makes a ONE HANDED catch on a 50 yard bomb from Baker at practice on Aug. 5th
(Check out who has his peepers on the play in the background)
There's my guy! Just stay healthy Willy and you've got it made.