Browns: 4 positions of need team must address before trade deadline

Defensive End

Olivier Vernon was a bad signing. He has done next to nothing since returning from injury and has proven time and time again that “pressures” don’t amount to anything as far as tangible stats go. The Browns defense continues to get beat like a dirty rug whenever he’s on the field, and his impact in the passing game has been as minimal as Sheldon Richardson over the last four weeks. At least the Browns have someone good on the line. The good news is that someone like Vernon could be used in a trade to acquire an upgrade.

Vernon‘s deal is up after this year and unless he takes a veteran’s minimum to return as a backup, there’s no reason he’ll be a Browns player next year. He carries a dead cap number of $11 million for this year, which isn’t too bad. So if a team is looking to dump a big contract he could be used in the trade as any penalties he may incur on the team will be off the roster at the start of next year’s offseason. The problem with trading him is that it’ll be the last move the Browns can make as far as big-money deals. If the Browns were to swap Vernon and some draft picks for someone like J.J. Watt, Watt’s remaining salary and the penalties will put the Browns just about at the cap limit.

The good news is that heading into 2021, Watt is only going to count for $4 million more against the team’s salary than Vernon did. Plus you get an upgrade. Even if the team doesn’t swing for a Watt, they have to take as a wing for someone. Both of the players the Browns were rumored to be attached to, Everson Griffen and Yannick Ngakoue have already been on the move twice since the summer. Teams are stocking up on quality ends. The Browns need to follow suit.