Ex-Chief Bowe set to join Browns

By Nate Ulrich

Akron Beacon Journal

BEREA

Dwayne Bowe hasn’t consistently produced like a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in four years, but he still resembles a knight in shining armor more than anyone else the Browns have at the position.

So, theoretically, Bowe should boost a receiving corps desperate for a lift in the wake of former All-Pro Josh Gordon’s NFL career being placed on life support last month. Gordon has been banished from the league until at least February 2016 because of his recurring violations of its substance-abuse policy.

The Browns certainly hope Bowe, 30, has something significant left to provide because they agreed to terms with him Thursday, a league source confirmed. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the move.

Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs cut Bowe, whose salary-cap number for next season would have been $14 million under his old, five-year contract that was worth $56 million and scheduled to run through 2017. He had played all eight of his NFL seasons with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the first round (23rd overall) out of Louisiana State University in 2007.

Bowe made the Pro Bowl in 2010, when he tallied 72 receptions for a career-high 1,162 yards and led the NFL with 15 touchdown catches. Then he compiled 81 catches for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.

Since then, his production level has dropped to that of a mediocre No. 2 receiver. Here are his statistics from the past three seasons: 2012 — 59 catches for 801 yards and three touchdowns; 2013 — 57 receptions for 673 yards and five touchdowns; 2014 — 60 catches for 754 yards and no touchdowns. Actually, none of the Chiefs’ receivers had a touchdown catch last season.

ProFootballFocus.com ranked Bowe 45th out of 110 wide receivers last season.

Still, Bowe is a virtual lock to start for the Browns. In fact, if they had a game this weekend, he would serve as their No. 1 receiver. Brian Hartline, who signed a two-year, $6 million contract with the Browns last week after being cut by the Miami Dolphins, and Andrew Hawkins would be other mainstays of the lineup.

Adding Bowe, though, shouldn’t preclude the Browns from selecting a receiver early in the April 30 draft if they get a shot to nab one they covet. They have two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 19).

The 6-foot-2, 221-pound Bowe visited the Browns on Saturday and Sunday. Although it took a few days for the two sides to hammer out a contract, Bowe joining the Browns seemed likely because of the franchise’s dire need at receiver and his connection to general manager Ray Farmer. Bowe and Farmer spent six seasons together in Kansas City.