Which Browns’ Pass Catchers Might Emerge After Odell Beckham Jr.’s Injury?

The Browns offense suffered a major loss when news broke that Odell Beckham Jr. tore his ACL against the Bengals on Sunday. Though Beckham had not yet consitently produced at All-Pro levels in Cleveland, he is still their best receiver, and he still commands attention from defenses. 

Without Beckham, the Browns are left with a wounded Jarvis Landry — Landry said last week he’s playing with a broken rib — and young players with something to prove. Cleveland’s receiving corps proved Sunday it could make up for Beckham’s absence, but can they can continue that trend for two months? 

Doing so will be a multiple-man operation. As Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday, “You never replace a player of Odell’s caliber with one player.” 

The question in Cleveland has become which receivers can help fill that void.

Rashard Higgins 

Higgins stated his case for the more opportunities by playing the best game of his career against the Bengals. He caught six passes for a career-high 110 yards, including a contested 30-yard catch with 39 seconds remaining.

Higgins and Baker Mayfield have exhibited pass-game chemistry since 2018, Mayfield’s rookie season. After playing on the second team together through training camp, they connected on 39 completions for 572 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs during Higgins’ five-year career. 

Higgins confounded Browns fans since. He started just one game and played in just 10 under Freddie Kitchens last season. And earlier this year, Stefanski favored KhaDarel Hodge over Higgins before Hodge injured his hamstring in Week 4. 

Stefanski said Hodge should return this week, which could complicate Higgins’ role going forward. But after Sunday’s performance, it’s clear Higgins has earned more opportunities to prove his talent. His cameo during Mayfield’s postgame zoom conference couldn’t have hurt his cause, either. 

Donovan Peoples-Jones 

Peoples-Jones had only been targeted one time entering Sunday’s game. But catching the game-winning touchdown pass against a divisional rival can do a lot for your reputation.

Stefanski called Peoples-Jones “Mr. Reliable” on Monday. 

“He can line up anywhere, a very intelligent player,” Stefanski said. “To see him go make a play with the ball in the air was outstanding. There are going to be opportunities for him moving forward just like that.”

Peoples-Jones might be the best on-roster replacement for the explosive potential Beckham offered on every down. He is broad and vertical jump numbers tested in the 99th percentile at the NFL Combine, and he ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash. 

Asking Peoples-Jones to fill the explosion role every week might be a lot to ask of a rookie, but the extra opportunities can’t hurt his development. 

The Tight Ends

Only the Philadelphia Eagles have lined up in more two tight end-formations (180) than the Browns (160). And as the Browns proved on Sunday, they are deep with at the position. 

Without 2019 Pro-Bowler Austin Hooper, the Browns’ tight ends caught three touchdowns — two for rookie Harrison Bryant, one for former first-round pick David Njoku. 

Stefanski loves to keep defenses off balance by throwing out of heavier personnel packages, which bodes well for Bryant, Njoku and, when he returns, Hooper. 

Hooper has only caught 22 passes for 205 yards and one touchdown through six games in Cleveland, but after Beckham’s injury, the Browns have plenty of extra targets to divide between the remaining pass-catchers. That’s good news for the Browns’ trio of talented tight ends.