One of the big remaining needs on the Browns offense is a wide receiver with "take the top off a defense" capability. That usually means you bring in a player that has blazing speed that can easily get behind the corners and safeties.
The other way that can be accomplished is by getting a guy who may not be the proverbial blazer, but one who can get open 15 to 25 yards downfield and then has above average ball catching skills that turn ordinary plays into chunk plays. All that is needed is the slimmest of advantages.
Jonathan Adams of Arkansas State is such a player. No, Arkansas State is not in the annual conversation of who makes the college football playoffs, but I trust what I see on film to know that Johnathan's skills easily transfer to the NFL.
The first think that brought a smile to my face when watching this clip is how many contested 50/50 balls he comes down with. And these are not the dinky 5 yard bubble screens, these are the aforementioned 15 to 25 yard routes. This skill is directly related to Johnathan catching just about every pass AWAY from his body as if it is second nature. His hand size must be gigantic relative to the football because these catches seem to be just oh so natural.
I was thinking this before it was mentioned in the video, but Johnathan truly displays basketball skills on a football field. He uses his body effortlessly to shield off defenders so only he is in a position to make the catch.
The second play in this video clip shows what NFL coaches will LOVE. The play is a jet sweep coming to Adams' side of the field. Johnathan buckles up his chin strap and goes to work to take out the trash. He pancakes the defender directly in front of him, then circles back to annihilate a trailing defender,, a would be tackler. Wyatt Teller is grinning ear to ear on that one.
Baker would love to this weapon to his arsenal.
An NFL comparison to Johnathan Adams per PFF is former Bills WR Stevie Johnson. Not bad, but.....
If you read the embedded chart in the linked article, I looked at the comparison to our own Donovan Peoples-Jones. Very, very similar numbers. And we all know the promise and potential that DPJ still possesses.
Johnathan Adams is welcome on my Browns any day of the week that ends with a "y".
He easily could be had on a late round flyer. Walterfootball.com shows as a 6th round selection to a free agent pick up.