We keep reading/hearing that this offense does not support the use of WR3. That somehow that role is diminished so greatly that nobody would want to be the 3rd WR in it.

I did some week to week research.

Weeks 1-6...the weeks when we had OBJ...the Browns ran 3WR sets on 40.9% of their offensive snaps. This is also the time that Landry was most affected by his hip surgery and rib injury...and the time that Higgins was not yet incorporated into the offense.

Weeks 7-19 (removing the weather games and the no WR game)...in other words the remaining 6 normal games and 2 playoffs...the Browns ran 3WR sets on 52.1% of their offensive snaps.

In fact, in the last 6 games (not including the NY game), the Browns ran 3WR sets on 53.4% of their offensive snaps.

The LEAGUE AVERAGE is 55%.

In other words, as the season went on and the Browns had a 3rd WR (DPJ) they were comfortable with, they were running the league average in 3WR sets.

Now, to answer why the 'perception' is that Stefanski would run very few. Take a look at Minnesota. They ran 3WR sets a league LOW 30% of the time, running 2WR sets 48% of the time.

The reality is, Stefanski adapted as his QB and WR's grew in the offense. I fully expect the Browns to run 55-60% 3WR sets in 2021.

Keep in mind...the vast majority of those 3WR (and even the 2WR) sets were with Landry and Higgins on the field together. Add a more confident DPJ and/or a speedster to mix in the slot and out wide...and I think Landry and Higgins will actually present a very difficult situation for defenses.

Some excellent food for thought, really adding some nuance to the conversation. Thanks guys.

First I'll clear off the notion of using raw stats or catch totals to appreciate how good Baker and Higgins have been together. They've been awesome. The passer rating and especially efficiencies like % that created 1st downs have put the among the top league duos by several measures.

They click. You almost have to entirely remove 2019 to discuss it and only look at 2018 and 2020. The totals for those two seasons, remarkably similar, it totals 76 catches in 105 attempts (72% completion compared to Baker being around 63% total, so like 58% to everybody else).

But these aren't little bunny completions. Between those two seasons, they got 1,171 yards for an average of 15.4 per completion. That's the YPC of a long-ball receiver for a guy who runs a 4.62 and has a VERY high % of his catches result in 1st downs. I do not have that stat but we all saw that it was among the league leaders when we DID have it.

Not at all a negative to Landry, just making the point that Baker and Higgins "having great chemistry" isn't just something that came true from repetition. They're good together. Really good.

What Higgins has done over those two seasons, and the fact that he's just 26, has likely earned him a starting job in the NFL as the guy opposite The Guy. The scarier one, the take-the-top of guy. Whether it's here or somewhere else. The existence of Landry might force him somewhere else.

The Browns won't start Higgins and Landry together next year. It became a huge conversation and that's why the Plain Dealer says adding speed at WR is one of the most important things we'll do this offseason.

The point DF and others are making is that maybe Higgins CAN be okay with coming off the bench because Stefanski has evolved and is using 3 WRs more than he did in Minnesota and more than some other OCs use in the different versions of this Shanny offense.

Or maybe the speed comes off the bench and that pushes Landry into the slot on a higher percentage of downs. Like, say we let OBJ go and draft a speed guy pretty early in the draft, he comes in on a lot of downs and Landry pushes into the slot.

I think those are intriguing ideas for sure. But I still struggle to see Higgins NOT seeing his free agency as the leverage to get him what he believes he's earned, a chance to jog out onto the field on the first offensive play every game. To get 100 or more targets so he can get that 76 for 1,171 in 16 games instead of 26 (in 2018 and 2020).

I believe he's that guy so I bet he and his agent think so, too. So the one version that works for keeping both Higgins and Landry is that they DO start together with Dyami Brown and DPJ (example) as WR3 and WR4 in an offense that uses more 3 and even 4-WR sets than it has over these past several years.

I'd be down for it. But I'm not sure I believe Stef and Co. came out of that Chiefs game with any plans to start Landry and Higgins together in 2021. A lot of reports indicate that they won't be inclined to do that.

But totally agree: Stef's big-ass brain and intellectual nimbleness makes different versions of a tweak more credible. And I think fans are way more ready to move on from OBJ than Landry. Well... I think it's obviously the case.

But that's my hangup: I don't think the team plans to start Landry and Higgins together and I don't think Higgins wants to keep being the third guy to Landry/OBJ or Landry and Corey Davis or Will Fuller.

I love the data, when you break it down to the minutia it tells a tail that is not apparent to most...it says Higgins/Landry were a better tandem than OBJ/Landry...and Higgins/Landry were a top half of the league duo.

In weeks 1-6, the Browns had a success rate of 46% in 3WR sets

In the last 6 weeks the Browns had Higgins/Landry the success rate was 57%...TIED FOR THE HIGHEST SUCCESS RATE IN THE NFL!!!

Sorry, the data does NOT support that Higgins/Landry cannot exist on the field together. What it does seem to point out is we need someone who can take the top off. Is that DPJ? Data again supports that when he was the guy, the completion rates went up. Or is it a burner type like Tyreek Hill.

What IS evident is that OBJ was NOT garnering the kind of attention necessary to make the offense work. Was it coming off of surgery? Is it his habit of freelancing routes? Or is he just not a fit for other reasons?

Regardless...the Browns have a LEGIT tandem in Higgins/Landry. The real question seems to be who is the complimentary 3rd piece?

I'm gonna stick with what I hear the Browns are saying inside the building: We need a dynamic presence on one side of our WR duo. We like to be able to do everything out of every formation, including go deep, and the Chiefs (and others) laid out the blueprint for two possession-ey guys: They pressed and kept a single deep, created insanely small windows for Baker.

Again, I'm gonna take that clickbait stance: I do not see Higgins and Landry starting and I really doubt either's gonna accept the 3rd WR slot. I do get that we could amp the WR3 looks up to above league average to get that speed guy on the field enough (meaning enough so it keeps our inscrutability, doesn't yell out our intentions)...

But I don't think it's the most likely scenario. I think either Landry or Higgins will start opposite OBJ or a WR of that type.

Mentioned him above as a legit option as #3.

As for the KC game, I think that was far more Wills out than any WR issue. We all saw last night how losing a LT at the wrong time can derail even the best offenses. Baker was under pressure all day against KC.

BDU, I agree. I will be surprised if the Browns spend anything higher than a 3rd on WR.

DPJ definitely showed he belongs and I'm a huge fan of development. We won't be paying 2 WRs 30m for long, and both could move on over the next couple offseasons. You want guys like DPJ and whomever we draft this year to have step-up ability.

Your 2023 corps could including Higgins, DPJ, and a fast/quick WR we draft in R2 or somewhere like that. Plus another. WR corps cycle around your franchise QB and you really wanna get/keep some rookie contracts in there.

Today's PD goes over some of those WRs, although I'm not sure I love the ones they chose all that much. Point was made that Spags and the Chiefs laid out the blueprint, the Browns are fully aware it was evolving that way, and they'll get faster on the boundaries.

Again, OBJ was mentioned as the most likely odd-man out. Also talked about guys who are explosive and quick off the line, which is one of OBJ's best traits. Not true of Landry, Higgins (been working on it), or even DPJ... who goes into this offseason working to get quicker off the line and in and out of cuts. His speed is mostly straight line.

Higgins did it, put in the work to be the best he could be at the things perceived as weaknesses. He got bigger AND more sudden, rounded out his game. DPJ could be even more interesting after a camp with O'Shea.

So PD basically said we will most likely keep Higgins/Landry/DPJ...and get another speedster...kinda like we been saying.

I think that's very possible, DF. I also think there's a chance Stef prefers to have that more dynamic guy in those base 2-WR sets, across from either Higgins or Landry...

And that takes us back to Higgins resigning with Cleveland as a WR3. And I truly doubt that he'd do that. I could be wrong.

So maybe the speed guy is a starter from day one, like a 1st round pick, Will Fuller, Corey Davis, whoever. Or maybe they do start Higgins and Landry and get their newly drafted (or signed) speed guy on the field a lot and throw to him more.

All on the table. Honestly, I'm not sure which one I'd guess right now. I think if I had to bet I'd say OBJ (tough to trade), Landry, DPJ, and a fast dude (draft or f/a)...

Because Higgins gets his money and starting job elsewhere.

My thoughts here just PROVE that Jim Harbaugh is nothing more than a credit grabbing, overrated blowhard who is also all flash and no substance.

I feared that when Andrew Berry took a 6th round flyer on DPJ, it would turn out to be nothing more than a sixth round pick that never materialized. The length of the list that contains the names of "5 star" high school prospects who washed out at the college level is lengthy indeed. So, you will forgive me if I didn't drink the DPJ Kool-aid right away.

Fast forward seven months, and my position has come around 180°. Eventually, with the right system, quarterback, and coaching - DPJ's talents resurfaced. He had some MONSTER catches this year. He arguably had the biggest one of the season - the game winner in the Jungle. And he put the playoff invitation in ink with his absolutely filthy stop and start move in Nissan Stadium that releived the Titans CB of his jockstrap at the 37 yard line.

But the most impressive piece to develop in DPJ's game was his downfield blocking. I bet if you look at a large number of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt's chunk runs, you will see 11 blocking his ass off to get them sprung.

And I have zero doubts, as in none, nada, zilcheroo.... that DPJ will work just as hard this offseason to improve his speed and receiving skills. He is a keeper.

Sometimes you need to look beyond the stats. Maybe Odell is important to this offense. But to borrow a John Dorsey saying "Trust your eyes"...

Odell, for a myriad of reasons, has simply not played to the level of his contract. Yes we need deep burners. But is Odell that guy? I say no. I say strike now while you can flip his contract into better assets for the Browns. I will trust my eyes to recognize the training wheels came off the offense once 13 exited. It is a nice story that we have an LSU reunion in the NFL - but that is it. This is no longer a game you played as a child, it is now your life's chosen profession. Companies rearrange assets and priorities in this country every day of the week that ends in a "y".

I trust Andrew Berry to do what is best for the Browns to position themselves better for a serious Super Bowl run next season.

Fantastic post, Brooksie. Great points.

- DPJ is gonna be really interesting. He needs to learn some tricks and moves to get off the line faster, create separation, but hard work and coaching did that for Higgins, can do it for the guy who brings more god-given gifts to the table. Hearing he's coachable and hardworking puts a huge smile on my face because all the clay is there, no doubt.

He's not sudden but you don't have to be EVERYTHING to be a valuable, productive WR. I mean, just say "DK" and "cones."

- OBJ has never really been a long-ball guy. He's quick and dynamic in his movements, makes circus catches, and is terrific with the ball in his hands... but he's not REALLY that stretch-the-field home-run hitter.

He timed pretty fast but I don't see him as a vapor trail guy, a little less so after the injuries. He's a bit of a unique piece and I do wonder if that's part of the issue with getting him to blend into any offense, Giants and here. Plus the freelancer thing.

It's kinda like you build around HIM rather than plugging him into your system, and that's not what this offense is about. Diggs left the Vikings, was great in Buffalo... but he got replaced pretty damn fast with a rookie who performed better than Diggs had the season before.

- I should be even blunter than I've been: I love Higgins and I love the Higgins Story. I like a guy who builds himself into something better and I love that he allegedly took less money (about as low as it gets) to stay in Cleveland and prove his connection with Baker. I love development.

And the problem is, he's a free agent who's put up like 1,200 between 2018 and 2020 at 73% completion and 15 ypc. He's a top 50 free agent. I don't think he'll stay in Cleveland to be WR3 in this offense and I equally doubt the Browns will pay 6 or 7m to fill that spot, knowing the stats that come out of it.

So the only way Higgins and Landry both stay in Cleveland is if they start together and I don't think that's Stef's preference based on the insider intel. Wanna be clear that it's far from Landry "hate," although I'm 100% dug in that 15m is way too much to pay for what Landry or Higgins do.

- So while I agree with you that OBJ just feels like a bad, expensive fit for our offense, and doesn't necessarily even fill the prescription to add more outside speed, a take-the-top-off guy... I still believe it should be Higgins OR Landry, not AND.

So when you add all that up, it gets interesting as hell. My favorite solution: Sign a guy who completes that trio perfectly, like Fuller or Davis, and evolve your offense to play 3WR sets more and (more importantly) throw to that WR3 a lot more.

Or draft a guy pretty high. Like with the pick you got for OBJ, if you can pull it off.

I get your stance Shep...but I think you are over-simplifying what it is to be a position type of WR (x,y,z).

Landry is a slot guy (Z). He is quick off the ball, sudden in his movements, great hands, good in traffic, and fights for the ball. He excels in crossing routes, hooks, comebacks and slants.

Higgins is NOT a natural slot guy, rather he is a Y receiver type. They are typically NOT super fast, or super big, but they play outside. They play off the line of scrimmage to give them the advantage of a few steps before the D can touch them, which also allows them to cut off the defensive player on choice routes. Higgins excels on stop and go routes, mid slants, mid crosser, out routes, corners.

DPJ is a typical X receiver, the WR who usually sets alone and is tied to the OL. He is big, fast, long strider. Doesn't need to be sudden...just needs to be able to get behind the D...and he can. He excels at Fly, Post, and Corner routes. He also does quite well with slant and go routes.

These three WR's operate in different areas of the field. They are NOT redundant.

However, I do agree we lack a SUDDEN/SPEED guy. That player that just breaks defenders ankles....and we need to find one. But I see that player as an ADDITION TO rather than a REPLACEMENT OF the trio we have.

Back to your comment on the 2 WR being the base...the truth is the 3 WR is our base, as over 50% of plays run from it. That is the epitome of base..the one you run the most. BTW, we have a much higher success rate from 3 WR sets as well.

I think OBJ is moved, I think Njoku is moved, and we run with a more traditional offense next year...with a speed guy we can integrate into a well oiled machine.

Not for nothing, but what is one of our franchise QB's strong suits? Besides having a cannon for an arm, he is very accurate with the deep ball.

Surround him with talent that accents those strengths.

I hear you, DF... and agree almost across the board... I just mean in the 2-WR sets: I've always had the feeling that this offense wants to be able to do everything out of it, not wait to go deep until the designated get-deep guy comes in. That's supposed to be part of its allure, that nothing's telegraphed.

I'm also operating from "stuff people have heard," insider-ey bits including from the pay site. The sense that Higgins and Landry together can be easily defensed, Chiefs laid out the blueprint, yada-yada.

But I do see that as a possibility: Those two and DPJ stay, and they're joined by a legit deep-ball WR who can be on the field upwards of 60% of the time.

2 WR sets would often be EITHER Landry or Higgins, and EITHER the speed guy or DPJ.

I agree Higgins/Landry would no be the primary 2 WR set. With that said, 2 WR sets are only about 40% of the time. That means if they split them evenly, both Higgins and Landry would still get about 60-75% of the snaps, with DPJ and the speed guy both getting around 25-30%...as I believe with that dynamic we will also be fielding some 4 or even 5 WR sets...something we rarely (if ever) did this past year.

Love it, that seems to calm me like a Zanny and a quick Indica hit (!). I do think that's a pretty solid bet: Landry and Higgins won't "start" together in 2WR sets.

Just saw a Tweet that the passer rating for Higgins targets this year was 119 (!!!). I remember a similar run of stats from 2018. Baker and Wood are definitely dialed in together.

I'd love to see what can come out of that with 100+ targets. I think it could be pretty special.

Hmm. I think my point of view has been really clear and definitely valid so I'm confused about what "bullshit" means in other countries. Like fertile? Like fertilizer? (I'm fucking around, bud, you know I dig you).

The point, which the Browns agree with according to scads of beat reporters after they watched KC lay down the blueprint, is that Landry and Higgins as the only 2 WRs on the field isn't the plan. Neither opens up the field, takes the top off, clears the way for the possession guys and TEs. They ARE the possession guys and only one of the two should be in the 2-WR sets for all the reasons we've discussed... including wanting to do everything out of the same formations with the same motion. Run, pass, take deep shots, all of it.

Nobody nowhere thinks that's bullshit. It's a very real discussion all over the place, conventional and digital. It can be annoying to you but it just can't be bullshit no matter how you try to interpret the word. Not being mean, it's just impossible. Then the word "bullshit' then has NO meaning.

I 100% get that you prefer Landry to Higgins and that's not wrong or unpopular or anything. It's valid. I hear you. I'm less certain and I admit that Higgins is just one of my guys. I dig him.

I do think he brings more game than Landry right now. He's faster, a little bigger, and has a higher YPC. He can get behind people sometimes, but it's not his wheelhouse. Just a little sneaky there.

Baker loves him. They work well together. I'd like to see him get those 100 looks, which isn't a ton, but could put him at 70 catches for 1000, great WR2 numbers.

Aaaaall that said (too many times), I know the organization and the players and the fans really love Landry and I get it. I won't be at all upset if he stays and Higgins goes... or if both stay, we move OBJ, and bring in a serious, starter-level WR in f/a or through the draft.

On this side, I really don't feel like we're fighting, or why we would. I love you, dude. You're awesome.

I'm sorry, man, but I feel like we both know my side of this discussion, the side taken by plenty of smart beat writers and apparently many within the walls of the organization... is objectively not "bullshit."

You've taken this stance: "If you say the Browns realize they can't play two possession WRs together as starters, you're actually saying we should play neither because they can't separate."

But literally nobody nowhere is actually saying that. It's just easier to knock down and call "bullshit," which is a waste of time.

What people truly are saying, with the Chiefs game being Exhibit A, is this: In 2-WR sets, Higgins and Landry are easily defensed with press and the windows get really small. They're both very good at what they do (albeit not identical), but one or the other should be starting opposite the faster, more dynamic downfield presence who will keep safeties honest and open up the field...

For either Landry or Higgins. And also Hooper/Njoku/Bryant. That's the discussion and nobody nowhere thinks it's "bullshit," not in Cleveland OR in Los Angeles.

The Rams are having exactly the same conversation (in a similar offense): They sorely missed the downfield presence last year and it showed. Snead doesn't mince words so he just said it: It hurt us. And also, you don't get Matt Stafford and field two possession guys (Kupp and Woods) and a couple TEs for your base.

(Same is true of Baker, who also has a hand cannon and elite downfield accuracy. 40+ completions went down and that's not a good thing over the long haul.)

Whichever guy it is, Landry or Higgins, he'll benefit from the other starter (in 2WR sets) being faster than... Landry or Higgins. We also saw how it affected the running lanes later in the year. It looked different.

Higgins and Landry together has never been the plan, it just happened when OBJ got hurt. It won't be the plan for 2021, either... but that's where it gets complicated: I doubt Higgins will sign on to be WR3 because in this offense, that guy doesn't get a lot of looks. DF showed that the Browns put 3 WRs on the field more this season, but I expect it was for exactly that reason: They had to do it. Gotta get speed on the field 'cuz your two starters are both possession WRs.

The Browns and Rams and Titans and Vikings and others running versions of this offense want to be able to do everything out of the same sets. With two possession guys starting in the 2WR sets, that's not the case, there's a "tell" if the speed guy has to jog on and off the field.

So what do you do? Do you expect OBJ to be that guy? I honestly don't know. It feels like both player and team would prefer that he move on, but it has to be a trade at this point based on the injury. If he returns, he'll start with either Landry or Higgins and the other guy will probably not be on the roster.

BUT... if the Browns start looking to clear cap because they invested heavily in a DE (and/or CB), I think it heightens the likelihood of OBJ getting moved. It won't be easy, we won't get much, and we might need to toss in a draft pick.

If you want to debate Higgins V. Landry, that's fine. I don't have as much passion for that one because I like both guys and think they're very good at what they do. I think in a Cat in the Box scenario, either would have a terrific season getting 100 or so looks from Baker as the starter opposite the deep threat.

Landry is paid a lot for what he is. I would bet that at least 25 of 32 GMs would say he makes too much money and isn't a WR1. Would he be considered more valuable than Higgins right now, today? Sure.

Do I think Landry would be better given the same number of looks? Will he be better in two, three years? Not sure I'm convinced of that. But it won't bother me much if they choose to stick with Landry and Higgins has to go elsewhere.

I think your primary point is that you really dig Landry and think he's way better than Higgins, and that's fine. If the Browns agree, and can somehow make more sense of Landry's compensation, there's no real sense even negotiating with Higgins. That money and more needs to go to Will Fuller or Corey Davis or a 1st round pick (after a trade-up).

I just read an article saying that it is 'too soon' to trade OBJ. Not due to his contract, not due to diminished returns, but rather the writer stated "if Beckham can finally turn back into his old self with the Browns, it will make their receiving core one of the best in the league".

That is really the question. Can Beckham turn back into his 'old' self. And what exactly IS that?

First off, OBJ has not had a pro-bowl type season since 2016. That is 4 full seasons ago...and in the NFL that is a career for many. Further, in 2016...despite having his most catches...was not nearly as good as his first 2 years. His catch rate dropped below 60%, his TD's dropped, his Y/G dropped, his Y/Target dropped, and his Y/Rec dropped. Then, in 2017...he got injured.

He has not been the same since.

Since then, he has not had more than 6 TD's in any year. He has not been above 14.0 y/r since 2015, He has not eclipsed 90 y/g since 2015.

Add in his injury history. He has played 16 games in exactly 1 season (2016). He has missed 26 games over the last 4 years.

2017 - high ankle sprain in training camp, fractured ankle week 5, out for season

2018 - quad injury, missed last 4 games

2019 - groin injury all year; core muscle surgery in off-season

2020 - knee injury week 7, out for season

We are asking OBJ to get back to a production level that he has not seen since before he broke his ankle. Before he injured his knee.

Looking at his stats, I don't think he ever fully came back from that ankle injury in 2017. He can still flash...but I don't think he will ever be that 'go to' take over the game WR he was prior to that injury, especially now coming off the ACL. (BTW, his ACL was non-contact...in the knee opposite of the previously fractured ankle...this is common when you compensate for an injury).

Add all of the above with the timing/route issues with Mayfield...and the limited opportunity to practice (due to injury/COVID/OBJ not liking practice)...and I don't see an opportunity for OBJ to regain anything near what we need from him as an outside WR.

It is time to move on. Analytics bear it out. Wait until he is healthy, then move him.

He will be aptly replaced by DPJ, a veteran via trade/FA, or a rookie speedster.

$16M is a hell of a lot of money to risk on someone MIGHT return to form. $16M contracts are what you pay for damn near sure things.

I disagree completely with the article. Time to stop thinking and hoping for what COULD be, and reacquaint yourself with reality.

Time to move on - and use those assets to better improve the Browns.

Frankly, I have issues with both Landry and OBJ. Very different issues, but issues. The overlap is money and whether they can ROI, or even close, and what we could do with the savings.