Could the Browns pursue All-Pro WR?

With wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins being released by the Arizona Cardinals, the three-time All-Pro has the opportunity to join nearly whatever team he wants. One player who would like to acquire Hopkins' talents is his former teammate, quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson, who played with Hopkins for three seasons in Houston between 2017 and 2019, said he still keeps in touch with Hopkins. The two have had a connection since Watson was coming out of high school, with both players attending Clemson University. Watson said he "would love to have" Hopkins in Cleveland for a reunion.

During their three seasons together, Hopkins had three consecutive first-team All-Pro nods and Watson made a pair of Pro Bowl appearances. The duo also connected for 25 touchdowns. Watson said that the opportunity to team back up with Hopkins is out of his control and all he can do is put in a call.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was less straightforward when asked about Hopkins. Stefanski said he wouldn't comment specifically on Hopkins, but he did say that he "really, really likes" the team's current wide receiver room. 

Stefanski also said that Browns general manager Andrew Berry is always looking at every avenue to improve the team.

Cleveland finished last season with 19 total passing touchdowns, tied for the 11th-worst mark in the NFL. Watson threw for seven touchdowns in his six games while veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett tossed 12 in his 11 starts during Watson's suspension.

Despite the below-average passing offense, the Browns sported one of the best rushing attacks in the league in 2022, helping boost the team to an average offense that put up 21.2 points per game. The Browns' front office understood that the passing game needed more of a boost, which was a priority over the offseason.

The first significant move of the offseason was trading for a disgruntled Elijah Moore from the New York Jets, adding a No. 2 to the team's receiving room behind 2022 acquisition Amari Cooper. To get Moore, the Browns gave up a second-round pick and acquired a third-round pick from the Jets, which they used to select Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman. Tillman provides a strong, big-bodied threat on the outside to complement the existing weapons in Cleveland.

The Browns also made a move to sign veteran wide receiver Marquise Goodwin. Cleveland hoped that Anthony Schwartz would be the field stretcher they needed, but he's struggled to emerge as more than a gadget player, giving Goodwin an immediate role. The Browns also have Donovan Peoples-Jones, who had a career-high 839 yards in 2022 and drafted David Bell in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Tight end David Njoku also had a career-high mark of 628 yards in 2022.

After Watson struggled to return to form in his return and the team middled as a passing threat, there's certainly credence to the idea that the Browns need to add a threat like Hopkins, even if he will be 31 by the start of the 2023 season. However, if Berry and the front office decide against it or are unable to beat out the likes of Kansas City and Buffalo, the Browns have made efforts to breathe new life into their passing game.