Browns WR Andrew Hawkins won't be limited to snaps in the slot.
“Because of his vertical speed you can move him outside,” WRs coach Mike McDaniel said. “I think he’s a mismatch inside or outside. We move him all over the place.
“His body type is more a fit for slot receiver. But one component he has that guys I just spoke of (Welker, Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman) don’t really have is he’s a 4.3 guy. He’s got the vertical speed. So corners on the outside can’t squat on his routes. They have to respect the vertical threat.”
Hawkins posted a solid 0.17 FP/snap for the Bengals, but he only played 20% of his team’s snaps in 2013. Now he joins a Browns team that will likely be without Josh Gordon, who is reportedly facing an 8-16 game suspension. Without Gordon in the lineup, Hawkins’ main competition for receiver targets may be Miles Austin and Nate Burleson. He could make a living in the slot and become a fantasy factor, especially in PPR formats. Snaps on the outside will only boost his overall value.