#1 RECEIVER IS A MUST IN 2012 DRAFT OR FA OR BOTH

The Cleveland Browns must upgrade their wide receiver position this offseason.

Currently, they have Greg Little, Josh Cribbs, Jordan Norwood, Mohamed Massaquoi and Carlton Mitchell on their roster. Little has shown the most progress and development in the entire group (61 catches for 709 yards and two touchdowns) and he was only a rookie in 2011—after not playing for a full year due to NCAA violations.

Cribbs is more of an offensive role player, who will do anything to get the ball into his hands. Massaquoi is a former second-round pick who has regressed since his rookie campaign and had two concussions in the last two seasons. Norwood is a smaller slot guy and Mitchell has been a receiver project.

Related: Cleveland Browns Rumors: Could WR Mohamed Massaquoi be the Odd Man Out in 2012?

Mitchell may be a sleeper since he has both size (6'3", 215 pounds) and speed (4.4 40-yard time) and he finally saw some playing time at the end of 2011. Anything is possible, and he was drafted by general manager Tom Heckert, who is a guy who knows receivers since he drafted both Eagles starting receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Even with the speed Mitchell and Norwood bring to the team, it seems speed is something the Browns want more of.

"The Browns want to add a speed receiver," wrote Terry Pluto, sports columnist for Cleveland's The Plain Dealer. "There were no other receivers to take any attention away from the rookie [in 2011]. If they do, Little should be position for a strong second season."

Pluto has been in the business of covering the Browns for decades so do not doubt that he is more "in the know" than most who cover the team.

With several big name receivers headed to free agency, the Browns could pluck up one of these vets, but they will not overpay for any player—as they have made crystal clear to running back Peyton Hillis.

The following are some of the speedier free agents the Browns could look at: Steelers' Mike Wallace (he is restricted and will probably cost a first-round pick in exchange), Eagles' Jackson, Bills' Stevie Johnson, Saints' Robert Meachem, Giants' Mario Manningham and many more.

Most likely the Browns will address their need of a speedy receiver through the 2012 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the top receivers like Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd or Alshon Jeffery do not fit into the speedy receiver category since none of them have elite 4.4 speed—they all run in the 4.5's.

There are quite a few speed receivers coming into the league like Baylor's Kendall Wright (projected as a first-round pick), Arkansas wideouts Jarius Wright (round 2-3) and Joe Adams (round 3-4) and Florida Int.'s T.Y. Hilton to name a few.

No matter where (or who) the Browns find themselves a speed receiver, they need to find at least one in order to upgrade the overall speed on offense and loosen defenses up—maybe even two more speed receivers this offseason, just to be safe.

]color=red] This article talked about Manningham from the Giants, he has a tendency to drop the ball and is not a great route runner and the Browns have plenty of those right now and giving up a 1st round pick for Wallace who is a restricted free agent isnt an option unless they can get him for their pick from Atlanta, then I would take a look at that however I just cant see Pitt putting the franchise tag on that guy.[/color]

Reggie wayne will be a free agent.

Dmounts wrote:Reggie wayne will be a free agent.

Reggie was a great receiver and may have a year or two left but at this point in his career I just dont see him as a #1 WR and he isnt the future of the Cleveland Browns as a wideout and I dont see him playing the slot position either riht now, this team needs a WR that has at least 6 years left unless they are willing to be the slot guy.

He'd be better than almost every Offensive player we currently have on the browns roster, and could definitely play in the west coast offense for more than a couple of years.