:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46071852/usa-today-8308797.0.jpg)
Following the losses of Miles Austin and Josh Gordon, the Browns will likely address the wide receiver position early in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Browns will have a lot of players to choose from in a loaded draft class at the position.
One option for the Browns is Tyler Lockett, an undersized wideout out of Kansas State. The Browns met with Lockett on March 30, according to a reporter from Manhattan, Kansas.
Lockett has workouts coming for the Chiefs and Bucs and will visit the Cleveland Browns on Monday.
— John Kurtz (@jlkurtz) March 25, 2015
Lockett is projected as a second to third round selection. Standing at 5'10, 182 pounds, Lockett looks like a slot receiver in the NFL, though his production at KSU points to an ability to act as feature receiver.
The Tulsa, Oklahoma native enjoyed a fruitful four-year career under Bill Snyder at KSU. Lockett started 42 games and broke 17 school records from 2011-2014, according to CBS Sports. Lockett finished his career with record marks in catches (249), receiving yards (3,710), and touchdown catches (29). A two-year captain, Lockett reached 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in both 2013 and 2014.
Lockett also displayed a knack for returning kicks and punts at KSU. The 22-year-old receiver set a program record for kick return yards with 2,196, averaging out to 28.5 yards per return. He also converted four kickoffs into touchdowns. Lockett concluded his career with 488 punt return yards, good for an average of 15.2 yards per return, plus two touchdowns.
As our friends at Arrowhead Pride recently pointed out in an analysis piece on Lockett, the KSU product "flips his hips faster than everyone else." You can read the full piece here.
Another interesting note is that the undersized receiver looks up to Browns wideout Andrew Hawkins. Andrew Gribble of ClevelandBrowns.com wrote an excellent piece on Lockett and Hawkins. It's well worth the read.
Lockett has received a lot of hype leading up to the draft. Since recording a 40 time of 4.40 at the Combine, plenty of love from various media outlets. Dan Hope at Bleacher Report said that Lockett "could be the 2015 NFL Draft's Antonio Brown." NFL.com's Chase Goodbread listed Lockett as the #2 undersized receiver in the draft. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah called the second generation wideout a "steal."
The more I look at the depth of this WR class, the more I believe someone is going to get a steal in KSU WR Tyler Lockett. Always open!
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 5, 2015
Other teams besides the Browns have begun to take notice of Lockett. As noted in a tweet above, Lockett has visits upcoming with the Chiefs and Buccaneers. The Lions also have a visit with Lockett scheduled for next week, according to CBS Detroit.
The increased interest might push up the price of Lockett as the draft nears. How highly do the Browns value Lockett? We'll find out in three weeks.