Josh

Cooper

Cooper was QB Brandon Weeden’s go-to slot receiver over the last few seasons at Oklahoma State. Standing at 5'10/185, the 24-year-old Cooper has drawn comparisons to Wes Welker. He could push incumbent slot man Jordan Norwood for a roster spot, but is more likely to end up on the practice squad.

A sixth-round pick in 2010, Mitchell has three career receptions and is squarely on the roster bubble. QB Brandon Weeden’s teammate at Oklahoma State, the 5'9/180 Cooper is in the mix for the team’s slot receiver job and could make Mitchell and/or Jordan Norwood expendable ahead of final cuts.

Cooper was competing with Jordan Norwood for slot duties. Per beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, the Browns hope to stash Cooper on the practice squad. A three-year veteran, Schaefering appeared in all 16 games last season as a rotational lineman.

Cooper’s odds increase if Brandon Weeden wins the quarterback job, as the two played together at Oklahoma State. Grossi also believes Josh Cribbs “appears to be fading as an integral receiving option by the coaching staff,” and Carlton Mitchell “could be a wild-card surprise if he has an injury-free preseason.”

“He understands how to uncover in the slot area,” said Shurmur. “He catches the ball well, and once he catches the ball he understands how to get yardage.” Cooper is expected to battle Jordan Norwood for snaps in the slot this summer.

Jordan Norwood and undrafted Josh Cooper are listed as the two players competing for the role. Both are slot receivers, however, so it’s more likely that the two are specifically competing for that role in three-wide sets. Benjamin, meanwhile, currently trails Mohamed Massaquoi for a starting job opposite of Greg Little.

Norwood managed just 23 catches in 14 games last season. Meanwhile, Cooper was Brandon Weeden’s second-favorite target at Oklahoma State, hauling in 71 catches for 715 yards a year ago. At the very least, Norwood has a battle on his hands.

If the Browns don’t keep six receivers, both are on the outside looking in. Rookies Josh Gordon and Travis Benjamin are already listed as the second-team wideouts on the depth chart. Josh Cribbs has the fifth spot locked up due to special teams prowess. Cooper has been quiet in camp after an impressive spring.

Travis Benjamin tried to practice Friday, but was “very limited.” The Browns are down to Greg Little, Josh Gordon, and Josh Cribbs at wide receiver. Cooper, a college teammate of Brandon Weeden, is expected to see snaps in the slot versus the Bengals. He’s not a fantasy option until proven otherwise.

Young is out with a head injury, so Tashaun Gipson is going to start at free safety. The rest of the bunch is relatively healthy.