Browns not in on Will Fuller

It does not appear that a Will Fuller – Deshaun Watson reunion is happening any time soon. The Browns are reportedly not in on Fuller according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Cabot also mentions that Cleveland has not had discussions with former Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton.

The reason why there was so much speculation about Fuller coming to Cleveland is due to Watson. Watson was able to be successful with Fuller in Houston during their four years together. Three out of Fuller’s five seasons with the Texans saw him average more than 15 yards per reception.

There is a very large ongoing issues when it comes to Fuller that cannot be ignored, injures. Fuller has played more than 11 games just once, his rookie season in 2016. Since then he has missed 30 out of 81 total games. Multiple leg injuries, including a torn ACL, in addition to clavicle and rib fractures are the most notable of Fuller’s injuries.

Even though there is some past chemistry between Watson and Fuller, the injury risk is simply too much to consider signing the free agent receiver. The reality of the situation is not about whether he gets injured it is when. Having players that fall into this category is far from optimal and Cleveland cannot afford that with their lofty expectations moving forward.

While the Browns current crop of receivers does not have the star power it did a year ago, they do have some capable options. Amari Cooper, Donovan Peoples-Jones, David Bell, Anthony Schwartz, and Jakeem Grant may make a greater impact this season than they would have had the team stuck with Baker Mayfield. Watson is a good enough quarterback to make them look better while Mayfield is not good enough to do so.