Corey Coleman thinks 2018 Browns have ‘a lot more talent’

BEREA — Third-year Cleveland Browns receiver Corey Coleman lauded new general manager John Dorsey’s offseason moves, and hopes to stay healthy to help him make a big impact in 2018.

“Not to knock any of the guys who were here, but John Dorsey did a great job bringing in a lot more talent,” Coleman said Thursday before the start of Browns training camp.

It’s not a secret that a winless team was void of NFL-caliber talent in at least several position groups, but success in the league isn’t all about talent alone. Culture is a word that is thrown around a lot, but it really matters.

Believing you can be successful is a huge component in actually seeing it through. That’s why Dorsey has focused on bringing in guys who have tasted that success at the NFL level.

“We’ve got a lot of great guys who came in this offseason, they’re great leaders who have been at winning organizations,” Coleman said. “They’re bringing their swagger here, and we’re just rolling with the punches.

“The younger guys are following along, just hopping on the train.”

Coleman, 24, has shown flashes of the elite receiver Cleveland saw in him when it used the No. 15 pick to draft him three years ago. But multiple hand and hamstring injuries have hindered his ability to take the next step to get to live up to that selection.

“I wouldn’t take it that far, but it’s a big year for me,” Coleman said when asked if he felt his future was uncertain.

Inexperienced quarterback play has probably played a significant role in limiting his progress, too. But that has changed in 2018 after the Browns traded for veteran signal-caller Tyrod Taylor.

“Since I’ve been here we haven’t had a quarterback who’s done that,” Coleman said, describing Taylor’s organizing of offseason throwing sessions. “Tyrod is great, he got us all out in L.A. throwing with him for a week before camp. You just know a guy like that is a really good leader.”

With the quarterback and roster talent issues seemingly addressed, the only thing holding Coleman back now is his availability on Sundays.

Coleman said he’s focused on keeping his body healthy by eating better, from “wings to fish and stuff,” and also by maybe getting a little help from lady luck. After all, another hand injury would be a hilariously unfortunate “freak” occurrence that’d leave him in even more disbelief than the first two did.

With Josh Gordon not reporting to training camp, Coleman has a huge opportunity to seize significant playing time with the Browns’ starting offense.

If he can stay healthy, expect him to benefit from the chemistry he has and will continue to build with Taylor.