Everyone knows the story by now. The Cleveland Browns want to know who their next quarterback is but it won't matter without targets to throw to. Could the team make a serious push for New England Patriots star Wes Welker?
Browns so thin at receiver they have interest in Josh Gordon from Baylor
Cleveland has a pretty bad history when it comes to grooming wide receivers. Braylon Edwards was their last one to reach a Pro Bowl and Paul Warfield is their only Hall of Fame member. The team hasn't seen the playoffs since 2002 and sits in one of the toughest divisions in football. That's why choosing between Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden for quarterback could become the most important decision for the Browns in a decade. It's also why the front office has tried so hard to find receivers. After failures in free agency and the draft, Cleveland has resorted to combing the upcoming Supplemental Draft for help. One name that draws their attention is Baylor receiver Josh Gordon. The Browns had originally hoped to take his teammate Kendall Wright in April but got beaten to the punch by Tennessee. While viewed as raw by coaches and experts, Gordon has the perfect NFL body. He stands 6'4" and weighs 225 pounds but has yet to work out at all and has a colorful arrest record including drug charges. Still the Cleveland Browns are past the point of being choosy. Then again they could go another way, if they're willing to pay.
Patriots tied up by Rob Gronkowski deal and can't meet Welker demands
No one is feeling sorry for the New England Patriots. Their wealth of offensive talent is the envy of other teams but it does have its problems. After giving up a huge six-year deal for tight end Rob Gronkowski, the Patriots likely don't have enough money left to meet the price for their four-time All-Pro receiver Wes Welker. Recent rumors say that the two sides stand at $6 million apart and show no signs of compromise. If he has another great year in 2012 New England might have to let him go in free agency next year. Either that or risk losing their other Pro Bowl tight end, Aaron Hernandez who is younger. If they can't reach a deal then the Patriots could open trade talks. Someone like the Browns would have interest from the start. Welker is widely viewed as the best slot receiver in football and is a reliable target for any quarterback. Either McCoy or Weeden would love having him and after the failures in March and April, Cleveland could use a move that makes the fans interested.
The New England Patriots can afford to wait on Wes Welker but not for long. Meanwhile the Cleveland Browns can take their chances on Josh Gordon but should not ignore the ongoing contract talks out east.
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