The Browns have landed a new No. 1 receiver.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Cleveland has agreed to a contract with Dwayne Bowe, according to a source close to the situation. Bowe joins the Browns after eight seasons with the Chiefs.
It's an upgrade to a wide receiver group that took a major hit when Josh Gordon was suspended at least a year for violating the league's policy on substances of abuse. Bowe joins Brian Hartline as the team's new 1-2 punch on the outside for Josh McCown and/or Johnny Manziel. Andrew Hawkins figures to handle slot duties with speedy Taylor Gabriel serving as Cleveland's home run threat.
The question is whether Bowe still has productive years ahead of him after a sustained period of regression that began after he caught a league-best 15 touchdown passes in 2010. Bowe is coming off a 2014 season in which he didn't score any touchdowns in 15 starts. A change of scenery was probably overdue, and now Bowe gets it.
The Browns were Bowe's only free-agent visit. Rapoport reported Sunday that Cleveland was determined to sign the veteran. They got their man.
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