One of the pleasant surprises for the Browns in 2014 was Taylor Gabriel. An undrafted free agent out of Abilene Christian, Gabriel delivered several big plays and finished second on the team in receiving yards. With Cleveland heavily unsettled at receiver, can Gabriel grab the brass ring and become the team’s top target?
2015 Upside
The men expected to be Cleveland’s primary receivers, Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, had underwhelming seasons last year and cannot match Gabriel’s home run power. Taylor had a 70-yard catch against Baltimore and added five additional plays of 30 yards or more. He has generated positive publicity during the offseason.
2015 Downside
Gabriel’s size works against him. At 5’8”, he functions best as a slot receiver, and Andrew Hawkins already holds down that role for Cleveland. That essentially leaves Gabriel as Cleveland’s fourth receiver. With Josh McCown being one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL and the Browns determined to build around the run, it will be hard for any of their receivers to offer anything more than patchy production.
Bottom Line
Pretty much anyone reaching for the brass ring in Cleveland’s passing game is going to fall off the merry-go-round, and Gabriel is no exception. Some big games are probably on the horizon for Gabriel, but not enough for Taylor to be any more than a possible bye week replacement.
