Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2017: WR Preview, Part 3

In Part 3 of our wide receiver preview for Cleveland Browns training camp, we wrap things up with the three players on the back end of the roster, two of whom spent some time on the team’s practice squad last year.

9. Josh Boyce - Backup Wide Receiver

James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 26
Experience: 2 years | College: TCU

Boyce was a fourth-round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2013. That season, he started 3 games and tallied 9 catches for 121 yards on the season. One of those starts was against the Browns -- that was the game in which Josh Gordon burned Aqib Talib and Cleveland looked to have the game in the bag before the officials assisted Tom Brady in a miraculous 27-26 comeback.

The Patriots stashed Boyce on their practice squad for most of 2014, and in 2015, they kept him on injured reserve all year. Last offseason, Boyce signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was waived during training camp; he joined the Browns’ roster mid-way through training camp. A fun note last year was that Boyce’s high school quarterback was Robert Griffin III, but them being re-united didn’t have much of an impact.

This year, Boyce will try to use his tenure in the league to give him a leg up on the Browns’ other young receivers. It should be considered a good sign that the Browns had him on their practice squad almost all of last season.

Final Roster Odds: 10%

10. Jordan Leslie - Backup Wide Receiver

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 209 lbs | Age: 25
Experience: 1 year | College: Brigham Young

Leslie was originally an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2015. After not making the team out of training camp, he was briefly with the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad before trying to make the Atlanta Falcons' roster in 2016. After a brief stint on the Titans' practice squad, the Browns signed him to their practice squad in October 2016.

Scouting reports coming out of college praised Leslie for his route running and ability to make defenders miss tackles, but panned the fact that he doesn't always use his hands to make catches and sometimes doesn't shield off defenders properly on tight routes. Even though he spent half of last season on the Browns’ practice squad, I’d figure him to be a camp body hoping to get back on that practice squad.

Final Roster Odds: 2.5%

11. Richard Mullaney - Backup Wide Receiver

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 204 lbs | Age: 24
Experience: 1 year | College: Alabama

Mullaney was originally an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2016, and he also spent time with the Dallas Cowboys during training camp. He played college football at Oregon State and then Alabama. The team signed him near mid-June, and I thought his presence on the roster might have been needed for additional depth at the position if WR Corey Coleman and WR Kenny Britt continued to sit out practices while nursing injuries.

Our college affiliate labeled Mullaney as a possession receiver who doesn’t have a lot of speed:

Mullaney brings very steady leadership, good hands, and a knack for making a play when it matters. Of his 38 catches, 25 went for first downs or touchdowns. Those numbers, coupled with his physicality and his great hands, may be enough in the NFL. The dreaded monicker of possession receiver may seem unfair to attach here, but is apt. If he can display a knack for moving the chains and occasionally finding the endzone, he has a career as a reserve receiver, particular for a team that also needs a physical wideout capable of sustaining blocks in the run game.

Final Roster Odds: 2.5%

We have one more poll to wrap up our wide receiver preview: