It’s not that the Cleveland Browns should build a roster of nothing but Ohio State guys.

Though that might not be a totally bad thing.

It’s just that the team’s receiver position is such a need that when a capable/talented player is released, it sets the squirrels running on the treadmill in the mind to wonder if he fits the Browns. It just so happens that two talented players were released this week and both are from Ohio State and grew up in Northeast Ohio.

Ted Ginn Jr. would fill a glaring need as a returner and could compete at wideout as well. He still has speed, which always is an asset. Carolina and the Browns both have interest in Ginn, a Cleveland native, and there is some thinking from Carolina that the Browns have the edge.

That has to play out.

Friday, word broke that the Dolphins are releasing Brian Hartline.

While Ginn, 29, seems to be a natural, Hartline would take discussion. But he’s worth discussing. Hartline, a native of Canton, Ohio, is 6-foot-2, 28 years old and he’s caught 189 passes the last three seasons in Miami.

He does not have blazing speed, but he’s a tall target with good hands. Word also broke Friday that Atlanta was releasing Harry Douglas, but he seems to have similar skills as Andrew Hawkins. Douglas is a good player, but he might not add to what Hawkins and even Taylor Gabriel do. Hartline might.

The point, too, isn’t that the Browns receivers can’t play. They can, and they (Hawkins, Gabriel, Travis Benjamin) give everything they have. They play with heart, effort and professionalism.

But to think the position doesn’t need upgrading via depth also isn’t realistic.

The Browns always talk about “driving competition" at every position, so adding more capable players will do just that. Drive competition and let the playing time sort itself out.

More players will be released, more opportunities will be available, but it’s clear the Browns can address the receiver spot this offseason — if they choose to address it. They will have more than $50 million in salary-cap space. Money isn’t an issue. How the money is doled out is, but many NFL teams seem to be able to do that and win.

Adding a veteran free agent or two — be they Ohio State guys or guys from Guam — would help. So would drafting a receiver -- with Louisville's DeVante Parker a personal preference.

The position suddenly wouldn’t look so barren.