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WR Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns

HT: 6-3, WT: 206, Born: 2-21-1983, College: Michigan, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3

2009 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 29th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: D McFadden (43), T Jones (44), Braylon Edwards (45), R Williams (46), T Romo (47)
Position: B Marshall (34-WR14), T Houshmandzadeh (39-WR15), Braylon Edwards (45 - WR16), R Williams (46-WR17), C Ochocinco (49-WR18)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

 Click here to go to the Braylon Edwards spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

Best Case

Let's assume that the rumors are false and that Cleveland isn't going to trade their most consistent offensive player this season. Braylon Edwards then remains as the clear No. 1 WR on a team that is going to be playing catch-up often. If the QB battle gets settled early, Edwards will have several weeks to mesh with the new QB and possible lay the groundwork to return to the Top 10.

Worst Case

Of course there is the chance that the QB controversy impacts everyone, and the Browns passing game returns to last season's form where almost half of the passes thrown result in an incomplete. In that situation, Edwards could flame out again and finish in the Top 30 rather than the Top 10.

Outlook

Once the QB controversy is settled and the crazy decision to shop Edwards in a trade falls out of memory, the Browns can head into camp focused on getting the job done right. Edwards only benefits from this as a consistent QB helps him return to his top form from 2007. Edwards will reward anyone who takes a shot on him this season.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Mike Brown - Yes, he had some problems with the drops a year ago. But the fact is, he was able to drop all those long passes because he was very open. What that tells me is that his route-running and burst off the line are fine, and if he can reduce the drops even by a small amount, then a top ten WR ranking is all but a given. Kellen Winslow is also gone, meaning Edwards' targets will likely increase.

Why he is overvalued

Mark Wimer - Anybody who watched Braylon Edwards repeatedly drop catchable ball after catchable ball last season would be understandably leery of drafting him for 2009. Add in the loss of Kellen Winslow to Tampa Bay and the extremely serious legal charges against Donte Stallworth (motor-vehicular manslaughter while DUI) that will likely keep Stallworth off the field, and you have a recipe for disaster. Edwards couldn't catch the ball when wide open last year - what's he going to be like with two or three defenders draped all over him almost every play? Also, the Browns have a QB controversy ongoing that may result in a turnstile at that key position. No thanks - I'll pass.

Latest News

Browns | Edwards committed to staying (Mon Jun 29, 09:44 AM) - Calvin Watkins, of AOL Sports FanHouse, reports Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards said he is committed to staying with the team, even though the Browns tried to trade Edwards this offseason. 'I never said I wanted to go,' Edwards said. 'The Browns tried to put a trade out there. It's always about progress in any level of sport. It will always be business. Trades happen, releases happen, I never took it personal. They thought highly enough of me to ask for a lot and in doing so, the Giants couldn't give the Browns what they wanted. It's a business.'

Browns | Edwards is committed to the team (Sun Jun 28, 04:29 PM) - Calvin Watkins, from AOL Fanhouse, reports WR Braylon Edwards remains committed to the team despite being the subject of trade rumors earlier in the offseason.

Our View: Many people assumed that Edwards wanted to get a fresh start with another team after 4 seasons in Cleveland. According to the talented WR that was not the case at all. "I never said I wanted to go," Edwards said. "The Browns tried to put a trade out there." We'll see if Braylon can bounce back this season after leading the NFL in dropped passes in 2008.
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Giants | Never made offer for Edwards (Mon Jun 22, 09:00 AM) - Terry Pluto, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports the New York Giants never did offer a package that included their first-round draft pick plus players for Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards.

Our View: According to the report no team offered a 1st-round pick for Edwards. They did receive offers with mid-round picks and average players, so the team decided to keep the talented WR to see if he could rebound after a below average 2008 season.
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Browns | Edwards likely to stay (Mon Jun 22, 08:46 AM) - Terry Pluto, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reports odds are that Cleveland Browns WR Braylon Edwards will remain with the team this season, unless a team comes out of nowhere with a huge trade offer late in training camp because a receiver is hurt and is desperate for a replacement. Edwards has been doing what the coaches have asked of him so far this offseason.

Our View: This is similar to the Brandon Marshall situation. Edwards would like to be traded, but no team has been willing to meet the Browns asking price. Unlike Marshall, Edwards has been working hard with the team. Perhaps he realizes he must revive his reputation which took a big hit in 2008 when he led the league in dropped passes.
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2009 Schedule

2008 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Edwards was the most targeted receiver, but he was not the most reliable. He dropped three passes, one of which that was just off of his fingertips would have gone for a long gain had he been able to hold on to the ball. During the first half he appeared to be the primary receiver on most pass routes, and one man that Anderson was looking for to make a big play. Edwards did draw a pass interference penalty in the end zone that led to the only Cleveland touchdown.

Week 2 - Edwards was tightly covered all night, but still should have came up with more than three of the nine passes thrown his way. A couple passes were slightly behind him, but with the wind he cannot expect any better. One target that was in the red zone involved Derek Anderson leading Edwards into the safety who laid Edwards out in a scary play, but Edwards returned.

Week 3 - Edwards was covered well by the Ravens, who often were quick to react to his first move and broke up timing routes. He had no chance on a couple of balls thrown his way. He did not have any drops on the night, but he did bobble the ball once. Two of his routes got jumped by the Ravens for interceptions, one resulting in a touchdown.

Week 4 - Edwards was visibly frustrated early in the game about how the offense was being run, but eventually calmed down and made some plays. He made a couple of touch catches, one being a one handed catch in the end zone for a touchdown.

Week 6 - Edwards, who has gotten off to a terrible start this season, took the second pass of the game 49 yards on a quick slant after he broke a tackle and turned a short gain into a big one. Edwards would come back later in the half with even a longer play when he got behind CB Aaron Ross and QB Derrick Anderson hit him on deep pass for 70 yards. He was caught from behind and tackled on the four yard line. He finished the first half with three catches for 129 yards. Edwards would catch an 11 yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter on nice play where the quarterback rolled out and he got open in the back of the end zone. Edwards caught a two point conversion in the fourth quarter after a Browns interception return for a touchdown. In this game, Edwards looked like the big time playmaker most people thought they were getting when they drafted him.

Week 7 - Edwards dropped a couple passes thrown to him, and was missed on four other occasions. He managed to get open against aggressive coverage, but was a non-factor until late in the game. In the fourth quarter he showed good hands and route running to snare some passes, including getting open in the end zone for a two-point conversion play that brought Cleveland to within three points. As with the other receivers, Edwards did not have a consistent effort.

Week 8 - Edwards had his opportunities in the end zone, but was defended well on one play where the defensive back deflected the ball before he could secure it, and was overthrown on another play where he was open. He ran routes well and was able to get open deep several times, but just managed one reception of a deep pass. Edwards had another chance at a touchdown, catching a pass along the sideline, but as he ran towards the end zone, he was forced out 20 yards from the end zone by the only defender who was anywhere near him.

Week 9 - Edwards continued his reputation of a great playmaker with inconsistent hands. He caught four balls for 86 yards and had a nice touchdown catch to start the third quarter. Despite that, he dropped a beautiful deep pass from Derek Anderson that was right on the money that should have resulted in a touchdown. Edwards just seems to lose focus sometimes when the ball is coming to him.

Week 10 - Edwards made only one reception for 15 yards on his six targets.

Week 11 - Edwards got off to a slow start by dropping his league leading twelfth pass in the first quarter deep in Buffalo territory. He came back productive second quarter when he caught three balls for a total of 48 yards in a 95 yard touchdown drive early. He caught a 20 yard pass deep down the middle for his first catch of the game and then came back one play later with an 18 yard pass down the left side. He finished the first half with four catches for 53 yards. Edwards was Quinn's favorite target and despite man-to-man coverage most of the night, he was covered pretty well most of the night and struggled to get good separation from defenders. He finished with pretty nice game catching another four passes for 51 yards in the second half, but never really had a good scoring opportunity in the game.

Week 12 - Edwards once again failed to impress, catching only five of the 16 balls thrown his way. He dropped three passes he legitimately should have caught and often gave up on his patterns because he thought he was covered. This cost the Browns once as Edwards did not finish his slant and Quinn threw it to where he was going and the pass was intercepted. Edwards did have a couple of nice plays but all-in-all he really cost the Browns.

Week 13 - Edwards did not see 16 targets like he saw the previous week, but he did hold onto the balls he was supposed to. He only caught two balls, but the other three passes were not catchable -- two coming from Ken Dorsey while Edwards was double covered with under a minute on the clock. Edwards likely saw less action due to the big crosswind and the increased attention he got when Winslow went out.

Week 14 - Edwards got targeted a lot by Dorsey, but not many of them were close to being catchable. Three catches looks atrocious on 16 targets, but it was really Dorsey's fault and not Edwards this week.

Week 15 - Edwards looked good running routes against double coverage and showed great ability to make plays on all of his receptions. He had no problems with his hands against the Eagles. Edwards broke the 100 yard barrier for the third straight time on Monday Night Football this season.

Week 16 - Edwards caught all the balls he could on Sunday. The ball was often forced to him on well covered routes. He did not have any drops. Three of the passes thrown to Edwards ended up as interceptions, but none of them were really his fault.

Week 17 - Edwards was only able to connect once for five yards from QB Bruce Gradkowski. Noticeable was a high number of incomplete passes, one of which was picked off. Not much else to comment on here.