Cleveland Browns cut ties with another first-round pick by trading Corey Coleman to Buffalo Bills

Jay Asser 00:34 07/08/2018
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  • Corey Coleman spent two seasons in Cleveland before being traded.

    The Cleveland Browns’ woes over their first-round picks continued with the trade of wide receiver Corey Coleman to the Buffalo Bills.

    Coleman was drafted 15th overall by Cleveland in the 2016 draft after the team shipped the second overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, who used the selection to nab quarterback Carson Wentz.

    Since then, the Browns have gone 1-31 and received little production from the quarterback position, which they addressed by taking Baker Mayfield first overall in this year’s draft.

    With the way the careers of Coleman and Wentz have transpired so far, Cleveland’s decision in the 2016 draft looks like a disaster in hindsight.

    But if anything, Coleman’s early struggles reinforce the thought process behind the Browns opting for a package of picks in exchange for the second overall selection.

    None of 11 first-round picks Cleveland made from 2009 to 2016 are still on the team, with all but one (Alex Mack) either cut or traded.

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    Their issues with player evaluation and the general crapshoot nature of the draft is exactly why the Browns were smart to trade one shot at the board for multiple swings, even if the results say otherwise.

    In return for Coleman, Cleveland received a seventh-round pick in 2020, according to reports. That’s extremely low compensation for a player that was taken in the first round just two years ago and is still on his rookie contract.

    However, with the Browns expected to feature several talented receivers this season, Coleman may not have had a significant role to continue his development.

    In Buffalo, the 24-year-old should have much more of an opportunity to play.

    The Bills were in need of help at wide receiver after posting the second-fewest receptions in the league last year (289), ahead of only Indianapolis (285).

    Aside from Kelvin Benjamin, who is situated as the top receiver on the depth chart, Buffalo have plenty of uncertainty at the position.

    Following his rookie season in which he caught 33 passes for 413 yards and a touchdown, Coleman posted 23 catches for 305 yards and two scores in nine games last year.

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