Normally, the Cleveland Browns are fairly high on the waiver claim priority list.
Sadly, that is because the Browns aren’t usually a team with a good record at this point in the year.
That changed in 2020 with the Browns at 5-3 heading into their Week 9 bye week.
Although, having a good record cost them a chance at claiming wide receiver Dante Pettis.
If Dante Pettis had not been claimed by the Giants, he would have become a Patriot, per source.
The Patriots (2-5) and Browns (5-3) also attempted to claim the 2018 second-round pick, with the Giants (1-7) having higher waiver priority.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 5, 2020
The New York Giants won the waiver claim since they have the highest priority due to their 1-7 record.
Regardless, the New England Patriots were ahead of Cleveland anyway, so it appears Pettis wasn’t destined to be part of the Browns organization.
Missing Out On Pettis
The San Francisco 49ers decided to cut the former second-round pick out of Washington.
Pettis was a promising prospect out of college, but never reached his full potential.
He had some moments in San Francisco, but never developed into anything special.
Dante Pettis will look like a bust b/c of the trade up and it didn’t work out but from an evaluation standpoint he showed everything they thought he’d be. Just got in the dog house. There’s no way you watch Pettis film and say “Nope he can’t play” pic.twitter.com/PWfyPF8jip
— Eric Crocker 🥷🏾 (@Crocky209) November 4, 2020
In 2018, Pettis finished with 27 receptions, 467 receiving yards, and five touchdowns through 12 games.
Since then, Pettis has seen 11 targets over the last two seasons with San Francisco.
The Browns do need to add wide receiver depth, but losing out on Pettis isn’t a huge deal.
He hasn’t produced on the field in two years, so Cleveland can survive without the addition of Pettis.
Replacing Odell Beckham Jr.
The Browns attempted to claim Pettis to help fill the void left by Odell Beckham Jr. missing the rest of the regular season.
He suffered an ACL tear during the Week 7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Although, bringing in Pettis wasn’t going to fix the problem left by the absence of Beckham.
Numbers don't lie. One of the most electrifying WRs in the game 💯
🏈 3x Pro Bowl selection
🏈 2014 Offensive ROY
🏈 6,830 career rec yards
🏈 487 career receptions
🏈 54 Total TDs@obj turns 28 today! Get well soon. pic.twitter.com/Nxy2ATp4yB— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 5, 2020
That type of production is something that you can find on the waiver wire.
Cleveland will need players like Rashard Higgins and Harrison Bryant to step up in the second half.
It’s not going to be easy replacing a talent like OBJ, but the Browns will have to try their best.
Luckily, the Browns sit at 5-3 with a favorable record down the stretch of the season.
The Browns missed out on Pettis, but fans will certainly take a winning record over him any day of the week.
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