The Cleveland Browns have announced the signing of free agency wide receiver Matt Landers. This move brings the roster to 90 as the club begins organized team activities.
Landers is a little over 6’4″ and when he left the University of Arkansas, he was 200 pounds. Landers, who is originally from St. Petersburg, Florida, began his undergraduate career at Georgia. After two seasons with little play, he transferred to Toledo for the 2021 campaign. He ended his career with the Razorbacks in 2022, where he was the team’s best receiver with 47 receptions for 901 yards and eight touchdowns.
Landers went undrafted, however he did spend time on the practice teams of the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers in 2023. He most recently played in the United Football League with the Arlington Renegades and San Antonio Brahmas. He was waived by the Bulls on April 9th.
The reason a team like the Browns would look be interested in him is his raw athletic ability. Landers put together an outstanding athletic profile. He ran a 4.37 40, posted a 37″ vertical and a 10’10” broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. He followed that up with a 6.86 3-cone 4.32 shuttle at pro day. Everything save for his shuttle is outstanding for his size.
In that sense, he represents the lowest risk flyer possible. The Browns drafted Anthony Schwartz in the third round in the 2021 draft. It didn’t work. Nevertheless, the Miami Dolphins continue to keep Schwartz around their program because if he does figure it out, even if it’s just for a few games or a season, it could pay dividends. It makes sense for the Browns to find athletes like Landers and see if they can get something out of them. They look brilliant if it works and lose nothing but a roster spot if it doesn’t.
Especially with a team that is currently rostering three kickers, they have the flexibility to see if an athlete the caliver of Landers can prove to be someone worth carrying through OTAs and potentially minicamp in June. At that point, if the team feels good about Landers, they can carry him into training camp.
Beyond whatever potential he might have as a wide receiver, Landers is also an interesting matchup for the Browns corners. The AFC North features receivers like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and George Pickens. The Baltimore Ravens just drafted Devontez Walker out of North Carolina, who is going to be a vertical threat in their offense. Landers could help in preparation for the team’s young corners including Cam Mitchell, Kahlef Hailassie and their own draft pick Myles Harden.
