Cleveland Browns Training Camp 2020: WR Preview (Part 3)

In Part 3 of our wide receiver preview, we wrap up the 12 players at the position by looking at D.J. Montgomery, J’Mon Moore, Ja’Marcus Bradley, and Tony Brown.

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9. D.J. Montgomery - Backup WR

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 201 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: 2 years | College: Austin Peay

The Browns signed D.J. Montgomery in 2019 as an undrafted free agent. According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Montgomery “hit the scouting radar thanks to his size, speed and explosion numbers at his pro day,” complimenting his above average athletic traits while pointing out that he must “improve basic fundamentals of route running and ball skills to have a shot.” He ran a 4.41 at his Pro Day with vertical leap of 37.5 inches.

Montgomery made a good impression in training camp last year. With the Browns’ top receivers sitting out, he saw a good amount of action in the first two preseason games, logging a total of 5 catches for 124 yards (24.8 yards per catch) and 1 touchdown. What I liked was his ability to recognize and catch the back shoulder throws:

The touchdown grab can be seen here. Montgomery had a hamstring injury after the second preseason game, and as is often the case with undrafted free agents, the Browns placed him on injured reserve to open another roster spot instead of waiting it out with him. It’s hard to make an impression as still a relatively unknown player, but Montgomery’s limited action left me intrigued last year to see when he can do.

Final Roster Odds: 10%

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10. J’Mon Moore - Backup WR

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 205 lbs | Age: 25
Experience: 2 years | College: Missouri

J’Mon Moore was a 4th round pick in 2018 by the Green Bay Packers. He played in 12 games with the Packers in 2018, mostly on special teams, finishing the season with 2 catches for 15 yards. He didn’t make final roster cuts with the Packers last year. Cleveland signed Moore to their practice squad last November.

Last year, our Packers affiliate noted that Moore had a solid camp, but didn’t come through during live action with dropped passes and also some bobbles on the passes he did catch. Here was one of Moore’s drops from 2018:

Back in 2018, Moore was Dane Brugler’s 16th-ranked receiver, and he offered this assessment:

Moore benefited from a high volume of screens, comebacks and stop routes and needs to prove he can handle more diverse patterns in a pro offense. He has the athleticism/length to expand his catch radius, but he is uncomfortable with crowded catch points. Overall, Moore is a good-sized athlete with terrific body fluidity and hand/eye reflexes to make easy adjustments, but he needs to develop his route tree and cut down on the dropped passes to carve out a meaningful role in the NFL.

Does it say something that Moore didn’t land on anyone’s practice squad between September and November last year, despite being a 4th round pick? I’m not expecting him to make the roster, but we’ll see.

Final Roster Odds: <5%

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11. Ja’Marcus Bradley - Undrafted Free Agent WR

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 198 lbs | Age: 23
Experience: Rookie | College: Louisiana-Lafeyette

Ja’Marcus Bradley was one of two undrafted free agents who the Browns signed following this year’s draft. The Browns gave him $65,000 in guaranteed money, second only to what CB A.J. Green received ($145,000), showing that Cleveland had a definite interest in Bradley despite not drafting him. Bradley was the 50th-ranked receiver on Dane Brugler’s rankings this year:

Lining up as the “X” receiver, his production steadily increased each season, including 10 receiving touchdowns each of the last two seasons. Bradley has strong hands to turn erratic throws into completions and he won’t flinch working the middle of the field. While he runs efficient routes and surprises with some shake after the catch, he won’t accelerate past defenders, lacking burst in his releases or out of his breaks. Overall, Bradley has only average size, speed and strength and might have trouble uncovering vs. NFL-level cornerbacks, but his dependable ball skills and concentration give him a legitimate chance to make a pro roster.

Bradley also had a touchdown catch at the East-West Shrine game amidst traffic:

Final Roster Odds: 10%

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12. Tony Brown - Undrafted Free Agent WR

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 192 lbs | Age: 22
Experience: Rookie | College: Colorado

Tony Brown was the Browns’ other undrafted free agent receiver this year, and the 81st-ranked receiver by Dane Brugler from this year’s class. Brown was nicknamed “touchdown Tony Brown” by Colorado offensive coordinator Darrin Chiaverini, a former Brown himself. The nickname came on because Brown had a touchdown for every 10 catches he had, although that just equates to 5 touchdowns for his senior season.

Scouting reports say that Brown shows skills as a good possession receiver, with good route running and ability to use his frame to box out defenders for contested passes. His draft stock was very low, though, because of his 4.65 time in the 40-yard dash. The all-important third receiver role in Cleveland might not need a speedster, though, so it’s up to Brown to be solid in all the other areas of his game. Competing for a spot on the practice squad is more likely.

Final Roster Odds: 5%