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The Cleveland Browns had a clear goal coming into the offseason, and that was to upgrade what was a horrendous receiver unit outside of Josh Gordon.
Greg Little, Davone Bess and Travis Benjamin proved to be ineffective options whenever Gordon wasn't shredding defenses. After signing Andrew Hawkins away from the Bengals, the Browns then made an effort to sign DeSean Jackson following his release from the Eagles.
He ultimately signed with the Redskins, and now the Browns are looking at former Lions WR Nate Burelson:
Source tells @foxsports1 that wr @nate13burleson set to visit @browns saturday after meeting with @miamidolphins in so fla
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 3, 2014
If he were to sing with the Browns, it could affect their plans with the 4th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Another WR is needed if the team doesn't sign one before the draft, and the likelihood the No. 4 pick is used on one increases.
Clemson's Sammy Watkins is widely regarded as the top receiver in this year's draft class, and he is one of a number of prospects in play for the Browns.
Signing Burelson, or any other WR for that matter, would lessen the need for Watkins and could ultimately affect who their first pick is this year. Burleson was cut this offseason by the Lions after playing in just 15 games the past two seasons due to injury.
The 32-year-old has 5,630 career yards on 457 catches and 39 touchdown grabs.