Travis Benjamin in mix to start at WR for Browns

Rookie Travis Benjamin, taken by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the draft, will be in the mix for a starting wide receiver spot, coach Pat Shurmur told The Plain Dealer on Sunday.

"I would say so," Shurmur said. "I saw a lot of good stuff from Travis this weekend and I feel like he'll only continue to get better."

Shurmur expects the speedy receiver out of Miami to see significant time if he doesn't crack the starting lineup.

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound Benjamin was the only receiver taken by Cleveland in the draft, sparking speculation that the team didn't do enough to address its shortage of pass-catchers for rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The Browns ranked 24th in the league in passing yards last season (3,090) and 27th in passing touchdowns (16).

No Cleveland receiver was able to accumulate 1,000 receiving yards in 2011. After Greg Little (709 yards, two touchdowns) and Josh Cribbs (518 yards, four scores), the Browns did not have a receiver top the 500-yard mark.

Benjamin caught 41 passes for 609 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games with Miami during the 2011 season.


(nfl.com)