The Cleveland Browns signed a number of undrafted free agents and it is no secret that the Cleveland receiving corps is only slightly better than ugly, but among the many undrafted players trying to make an impact is Mike Harley.
We continually discuss this front office and their ability and willingness to overturn every rock to find available talent, but Harley played at a Power-Five school in Miami.
Perhaps I’m being too harsh about the receiver group because Amari Cooper is a legitimate star, Donovan Peoples-Jones is full of untapped potential and Anthony Schwartz is fast, but they showed us very little so far in training camp and the door will be left open for an underdog to breakthrough.
HC Kevin Stefanski has liked what he has seen so far:
#Browns HC Kevin Stefanski on Mike Harley: "He's given us some really good reps – both at receiver and returner. That will be a continual evaluation."
— Carly Mascitti (@carlymascitti) August 22, 2022
Let’s dive into whether or not Harley is that dog that the Browns need:
Strengths
Typically receivers from the U get drafted, but Mike Harley’s name wasn’t called despite leading Miami with 57 receptions for 543 yards and five touchdowns. Harley also finished last season with an impressive 9.5 yards per reception.
Harley saw time in five seasons at Miami and finished his career with an impressive 182 receptions (which broke the school record previously held by Reggie Wayne) for 2,158 yards for an average of 11.9 yards per reception along with 15 career touchdowns.
Harley also has experience as a returner with 12 kick returns and three punt returns during his collegiate days.
Rumors from camp are that Harley has really taken the extra reps that have fallen into his lap due to injury and ran with them. Harley is a real hands catcher with solid size at 5-foot 10-inches and 179 pounds and has proven to have the awareness to find the soft spots in zone defenses on a consistent basis.
Mike Harley has had a great camp. #Browns pic.twitter.com/ohul2EVYPX
— Matt Fontana (@MattFontana83) August 15, 2022
Weaknesses
Harley has had a great camp so far, but his resume at Miami does include a few drops, which is likely the main reason he went undrafted He is also rumored to run a verified 4.38 40-yard dash, but that speed simply does not translate to what is seen on the field.
Harley had an extremely productive career at Miami, one of the best statistically speaking, but he still had times where he disappeared and failed to either get open or make the catch.
A #Browns player to keep tabs on in the 1st preseason game: Mike Harley Jr.
With injuries to the WR room as well as special teams, the all time receptions leader at the University of Miami has a chance to fully cement himself on this roster
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) August 12, 2022
