LAS VEGAS — People said the Browns needed receivers, so they went out and drafted two of them.
With the 202nd overall pick in the sixth round, Cleveland selected Michael Woods II out of Oklahoma. This comes one day after the team took Purdue All-American David Bell in Friday's third round.
Woods went from Magnolia, Texas, to the University of Arkansas, where he caught 83 passes for 1,248 yards (15.0 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns in his first three years in college. He then transferred to Oklahoma as a senior, and capped his career by hauling in 35 catches for 400 yards and two scores.
Woods and Bell will compete for playing time in a wide receiver core that adds four-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper but also lost Odell Beckham Jr., Rashard Higgins, and (potentially) Jarvis Landry. The Browns' leading receiver in 2021 was Donovan Peoples-Jones, who had only 597 yards.
Here's what NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about Woods:
"Arkansas transfer with just a single season in Lincoln Riley's passing game. Woods is a tight-hipped receiver with below-average bend that affects his route running and keeps his work on a vertical plane. He has decent build-up speed and showed improved hands in 2021, but is unlikely to ever be considered a catch winner. Woods has a shot to compete for a practice squad spot but lacks play traits that stand out for the position."
Woods is also the second Sooner drafted by Cleveland in 2022, with defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey going in the fourth round. Ironically, both actually wore No. 8 as teammates.
