- Matt Landers, a wide receiver available as a free agent, has signed with the Cleveland Browns. With that change, the squad’s roster is now complete at ninety, and they can start structured team activities.
Landers weighed 200 pounds and stood just over 6’4″ when he departed the University of Arkansas. Landers, a native of St. Petersburg, Florida, enrolled at Georgia to begin his college career. He moved to Toledo for the 2021 season after playing infrequently for the previous two seasons. In 2022, he concluded his career with the Razorbacks, where he led the team in receiving with 47 receptions for 901 yards and eight touchdowns.
Although Landers was not selected in the draft, in 2023 he was a member of the practice squads of the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. The last UFL teams he played for were the Arlington Renegades and San Antonio Brahmas. On April 9, the Bulls waived him.
His natural athleticism is what would pique the curiosity of a team such as the Browns. Landers assembled a superb athletic resume. At the NFL Scouting Combine, he ran a 4.37 40, recorded a 37″ vertical, and a 10’10” broad jump. On pro day, he followed that up with a 6.86 3-cone 4.32 shuttle. For his size, everything is excellent, with the exception of his shuttle.
He embodies the least risky flyer conceivable in that regard. Anthony Schwartz was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2021 draft. It was unsuccessful. Still, the Miami Dolphins are keeping Schwartz in the program because, even if he does catch on, it might be beneficial if he sticks with it for a few games or a season. Finding athletes like Landers and trying to squeeze something out of them makes sense for the Browns. If it succeeds, they look amazing, and if it fails, they lose nothing but a roster place.
They can test if an athlete the caliber of Landers can show to be someone worth carrying through OTAs and possibly minicamp in June, especially with a team that presently has three kickers on the roster. If the team is pleased with Landers at that point, they can bring him into training camp.
Landers presents an intriguing challenge for the Browns defenders, regardless of his potential as a wide receiver. Receivers like George Pickens, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase are part of the AFC North. Devontez Walker, a defensive end from North Carolina, was selected by the Baltimore Ravens and will provide a vertical threat to their attack. The team’s young corners, such as Cam Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie, and Myles Harden, who was selected in the draft, could benefit from Landers’ assistance in preparation.
Landers will have a difficult time breaking into the starting lineup on opening day given the talent and sheer volume of wide receivers the Browns possess. It would be a success, though, if he could secure a spot on the practice squad.
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