The Cleveland Browns need a wide receiver. I know it. You know it. The national writers know it. Tony Grossi knows it. Even the homeless guy who told Jimmy Haslam to draft Johnny Manziel knows it.

But here we are, at the combine portion of the offseason, and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether Ray Farmer will soften his stance on drafting a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, that line of thinking may be changing with the report the Browns conducted an informal interview with Louisville standout DeVante Parker, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

As Farmer indicated during his combine presser Feb. 19, he’s more inserted in keeping fans, the media and other GMs guessing. Obviously, he doesn’t want to reveal state secrets, but it doesn’t take Paul Brown to realize the Browns need someone who can catch the ball.

Hopefully Farmer won’t outsmart himself, as he appeared to do last year when he bypassed one of the most receiving-rich draft classes in recent NFL memory.

As Fowler pointed out earlier in the week, Farmer seemed to cool on his stance of not using a high pick on a receiver. During that combine presser, Fowler wrote Farmer wouldn’t even the most “basic of questions,” but didn’t take the stubborn about snagging a pass catcher in the first round…

“This is a good receiver class from which the Browns could benefit. When asked if his stance on receivers has softened, Farmer talked about smokescreens and how ‘I don’t want to tell anybody where I’m at.’ The Browns’ thinnest position could get an upgrade somewhere high — maybe not the first round, but almost certainly in the first three. “

Depending on which mock you favor,Parker, West Virginia’s Kevin White, Michigan’s Devin Funchess, and Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong have all been drafted by the Browns.

Common sense seems to be the only thing stopping Ray Farmer from drafting a top receiver, but this intangible characteristic has long been an enemy of those in charge at the Browns’ facility.

Parker had three seasons in which he stood out for the Cardinals. As a senior, he had a career low five touchdowns, but his average yards per catch total (19.9) was the highest of his collegiate career.

AT 6-foot-3, Parker is considered a good route-runner.

The NFL Draft begins April 30.

How would you feel about the Browns taking DeVante Parker with one of their two picks in this year’s NFL Draft?