The Cleveland Browns are in need of some help at various positions and these are the top three options from losing teams that could be available.
Let’s be clear, some of these trades will be hard to pull off. We’re not going to worry too much about contracts, dead cap hits, trade value, or anything of the like. If we’ve seen anything from other NFL teams it’s that no one is ever safe. Yannick Ngakoue and Everson Griffen just joined new teams to start the season before getting traded to different teams. We’ve seen the Raiders traded Khalil Mack for no real reason, other than Jon Gruden wanted to. So there’s no real reason to think that anyone on this list couldn’t get traded to Cleveland. The Browns can always find money but cutting or restructuring deals.
The only caveat is young players or rookies. It’s unlikely a team would move on from a young, talented player in the first few years of their rookie contracts so we’re not going to look at many of them unless it’s a certain situation.
So with that acknowledged, let’s get right into it.
Atlanta Falcons
WR Julio Jones
Julio Jones is a big nut to swallow but is under contract for several more years. If the team were to pursue Jones it would be as a permanent replacement for Odell Beckham Jr., not to add to the receivers as a whole. Jones is a future Hall of Famer and can still play at a high level. He’d fit in nicely with the Browns offense.
DT Grady Jarrett
Coming off of a Pro Bowl year, Grady Jarrett has an ideal contract as it comes with an opt-out after 2021. He’s great at getting depth and while the Falcons defense hasn’t been good, he has been. He’s known for his ability to get into the backfield and blow up the running game and the Browns have seen Sheldon Richardson fall off since Week 3. Jarrett would be an instant upgrade over Richardson and would give the team more depth and a good interior pass rusher.
CB Isaiah Oliver
It’s hard to gauge what the Falcons would want for someone as young as Isaiah Oliver. While we’re looking at older players, the reason Oliver makes the cut when others won’t is because of how far Atlanta has fallen and how likely it is they blow up the whole thing heading into the offseason. So they’ll be more motivated to move pieces no matter the age, presumably, to get draft picks.
Carolina Panthers
WR Curtis Samuel
The Panthers are in a weird place. Do they buy? Do they sell? If they do make trades, are they looking at lateral moves where they give up a part or two at a position of depth to help fill a gap? If they do, Curtis Samuel is a perfect player for the Browns. Injuries happen in an instant and having a player like Samuel who can carry the ball and catch passes would just help the Browns out no matter what happens next.
LB Shaq Thompson
Shaq Thompson is an incredible all-around player. He’s good in coverage and is known for his ability to stick a tackle. He’s not much of a pass rusher but he can play inside and outside at linebacker which makes him useful in passing situations; as you won’t lose any run-stopping skills with Thompson on the field to cover.
OLB/DE Marquis Haynes
He’s a low-cost option but Marquis Haynes does one thing that the Browns need and that’s got depth against offensive lines. Whether he’s lined up as a linebacker in passing downs or on the line for short-yardage plays, Haynes can get depth. He’s not getting a lot of snaps, only playing about 25% of defensive snaps but he’s making the most of it. He’s third on the team in tackles-for-loss and second on the team in sacks.
Cincinnati Bengals
WR A.J. Green
He’s not what he used to be but considering the (not so sudden) lack of depth at the position, getting a guy like A.J. Green, who has a history of making big plays and playoff experience may be a very interesting addition. You’re not giving up much to get him and may need to move around some money but if the Bengals are willing, he’d be an interesting option.
DE Carl Lawson
In the last year of his deal, Carl Lawson has proven to be a nice name for the Bengals. When they decide to play him. If the Browns can secure Lawson that would be an upgrade over Olivier Vernon. Not just that, but Lawson has never been given a lot of time, so re-signing him may come at a discount. If the Browns don’t want to spend big, Lawson’s the perfect name to go after, if the Bengals are willing to deal that is.
CB Darius Phillips
He’s got another year on his deal and with the Bengals not being anywhere close to being contenders, trading Darius Phillips, who’s largely been a backup/nickel corner may be possible. He’s a solid tackler and is currently fifth on the team in pass deflections. He’s not a lockdown corner but he’s at least a better option than Terrance Mitchell.
Dallas Cowboys
DE DeMarcus Lawrence
He’s not playing well this year and he’s getting older. All while playing for a team that took ten massive steps back this year. DeMarcus Lawrence will cost a lot in 2021, but there’s an opt-out clause in his deal if he doesn’t live up to his contract. The team will still eat something but at least he’s an obvious upgrade over Vernon.
LB Joe Thomas
Sorry, guys. I checked, and this isn’t Joe Thomas of Cleveland-fame hiding in plain sight as a linebacker. That said, he’s a solid coverage linebacker and is known for being a good tackler. He’s also durable and reliable, playing 100% of the defensive snaps three different times this year. Myles Garrett doesn’t play every snap on a drive, so Thomas is impressive.
LB Leighton Vander Esch
The Jaguars traded Yannick Ngakoue. The Raiders traded Khalil Mack. The Texans traded DeAndre Hopkins. Leighton Vander Esch is absolutely getable. He’s already missed a good chunk of time over the last two years and the Cowboys could be looking at a full rebuild. That means getting cap relief and draft capital. Vander Esch is an awesome player, but he’s on a team that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. With Dak Prescott’s ankle completely mangled, there’s no guarantee he ever returns to form. The Cowboys would be wise to get what they can for Vander Esch.
Denver Broncos
WR Tim Patrick
Tim Patrick is ideal for the Browns. He’s young but not so young the Broncos won’t part ways with him. He’s talented enough to start but not so talented that you need to worry about blowing up the cap space to go get him. He’s ideally a slot receiver but could start on a team like the Browns. With Drew Lock on his way out as the starter in Denver, the team is looking at another rebuild. The Broncos could swap Patrick for a fifth-round pick and get something out of him before his deal runs out. Just, word of advice Broncos? Don’t waste a fifth-round pick on a franchise quarterback.
It’s not smart.
CB Bryce Callahan
Bryce Callahan has a team-friendly contract even without his sweet opt-out clause. He’s old enough for a team to want to move on from him but young enough to still expect him to be productive. Callahan may be the most perfect corner on this list with regards to what he’s worth, what you’d have to give up to get him, and how he’ll impact the cap. With the Broncos dead in the water, it’s time to ring that phone.
LB Josey Jewell
Quite frankly the Browns could throw the Broncos a second and fifth-round pick and get all three of these players. Josey Jewell is an instant upgrade at linebacker, with some pass-rushing skills and the ability to *gasp* wrap and tackle. His contract makes him affordable and his pass coverage abilities make him a player you don’t need to stack behind. Unlike some players on the Browns roster, Jewell won’t need his backup to play on passing downs as he’s mostly on the field for the entire game for the Broncos, having played 93% of the snaps on defense so far for the Broncos.
Houston Texans
WR Will Fuller V
Will Fuller V has big-play potential and he may be what the Browns need. He’d be a rental unless the team parts ways with Odell Beckham Jr., so you wouldn’t need to worry about salary cap implications beyond this year. The biggest issue would be what would the Texans want for him against what the Browns would consider giving up for him. A fourth-round pick is the highest the Browns should go but if they could get him for that or less, it might be worth it.
CB Bradley Roby
The Browns would be wise to consider Bradley Roby, a SuperBowl winning cornerback and someone used to play against high caliber AFC receivers in the playoffs. Roby would be able to shore up a lot of issues by sliding into the lineup opposite Denzel Ward. His contract won’t jump up too much more for next year, and then there’s a $1 million buyout after 2021 if he falls off. That’s not a bad contract to have on your team. If Roby can continue playing at the level he’s currently at, however, he may not be cut.
DE J.J. Watt
J.J. Watt is very getable. Very. Vernon’s already getting paid $11 million this year, Watt next year is only $6 million more. That’s very affordable. Plus the Browns are $31 million under the cap. So even if you have to carry Watt and Vernon’s deal for the rest of this year, that’s nothing. Watt has been dealt a bad hand in 2020, playing on a defense with no other playmakers. Imagine Watt and Myles Garrett playing opposite each other, or even better, next to each other. Watt’s been playing in the three and five techniques on defense for his entire career thanks to Texans 3-4 defense. That means Watt could easily line up as a three-technique defensive tackle. You’re not double-teaming both Watt and Garrett if they’re on the same side of the line. This is a dream get and a move that would fix many of the issues on defense for the Browns and give Watt plenty of opportunity to find his grove again. Plus, there’s no way Houston can ask for a first-rounder. That means he could be had for something far more manageable.
Jacksonville Jaguars
WR Keelan Cole Sr.
He’s in the last year of his deal and probably won’t want to return for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s inexpensive and could possibly turn into a starter if Odell Beckham Jr. can’t return to form. Cole isn’t the most talented player that could be possibly had but he’s one that doesn’t take too much to get and won’t cause much disruption in the locker room. Those may not seem like big reasons but they’re huge when you’re adding talent mid-season.
LB Joe Schobert
Bring. Him. Home. Joe Schobert is the biggest mistake that Andrew Berry has made. Letting him go was seen as no big deal by many, because “how hard is it to replace him?” Turns out, really hard. The Browns drafted a linebacker and signed two more and still can’t get any production out of the unit. Schobert knows the city, knows the opponents, and more importantly wanted to stay here. His contract is manageable, has an opt-out clause, and oh yeah, Schobert is putting together another nice season for the lowly Jaguars. Bring him back and apologize to him. The Browns are not better off without him and frankly, he’s the best all-around linebacker who could be available.
DB Josh Jones
He can tackle, he has a cheap deal, and there isn’t any long term commitment. He’s versatile to play either safety spots and frankly, it can’t be much worse playing him than Karl Joseph.
Los Angeles Chargers
WR Keenan Allen
Going after Keenan Allen would be the name to go get if you’re the Browns and are done with Odell Beckham. Beckham is about to enter the last year of his deal that comes with dead cap (penalties). Sure, trading the Beckham next year would still cost them $12 million but if they can move on from him and get a nice draft pick back while saving money long term, it’d be worth it. Plus it’d free up Keenan Allen to get more opportunities. If we’ve seen anything with Allen, it’s that unlike Beckham, Allen can and does work well with any quarterback.
WR Mike Williams
Mike Williams is in the same camp as Allen as far as the type of player he is and what his arrival would mean for the Browns and Beckham. The big difference is that Allen is a fairly young, proven commodity, while Williams still has to prove he’s worth a big extension.
DE/LB Melvin Ingram
Melvin Ingram is going to be moved, you can almost bank on that. He’s having a down year, and won’t be re-signed at the price he probably wants. If the Chargers do move him, the Browns could snag him for a fifth or sixth-round pick. The team has the cap space to carry him for the rest of the year and if he’s able to have a strong second half then maybe Ingram could be brought back. His versatility as a linebacker and defensive end makes him particularly useful with Joe Woods ever-shifting scheme.
Minnesota Vikings
WR Adam Thielen
When healthy and in an offense that can get him the ball, Adam Thielen is one of the best wide receivers in the game. He knows Kevin Stefanski’s offense and would be able to fit in instantly. He’s one of those “replacement” gets for the Browns, as in if he comes in, Odell Beckham (or Jarvis Landry) would be on the way out after the year is over. The good news for the Browns, both Landry and Thielen have low dead-cap numbers following this year ($3 mil for Landry, $5.4 mil for Thielen) so even if they both need to be moved, it wouldn’t kill the Browns cap.
DB Anthony Harris
At best you’re giving up a fourth-round pick here. Anthony Harris is in the last eight-odd games of his contract and there’s no guarantee he’d want to re-sign with the Browns. So you can probably get him for a steal if Yannick Ngakoue’s trade is any indication. Ngakoue went for a third and fifth-round pick. Harris is older and isn’t at the same premium position as Ngakoue.
DB Harrison Smith
Harrison Smith is the better of the safeties, has a second-year beyond this year, and has no more dead cap money after this season. He is a year+ plus older than Harris, but it’s not so big that you’d let if factor into who you trade for. Smith is the get of the three, as he adds the most to the team long term, without disrupting the team’s chemistry or long-term cap.
New England Patriots
WR Julian Edelman
Julian Edelman is the perfect receiver for the Browns. He’s still as good as he’s ever been, his contract is manageable beyond this year, even if you keep both Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr., he’s a matchup nightmare out of the slot and he’s got plenty of experience in the playoffs. He’d be a great check down for Baker Mayfield, especially if the Browns throw more as the year goes on.
CB Jonathan Jones
As a nickel corner, Jonathan Jones has been pretty dang solid. For the Browns, he’d be expected to start and he may not adjust that well to the role. Even with that concern, he’s a good enough upgrade over Terrance Mitchell and his deal isn’t hard to swallow at all. Something that should make him even more desirable by the Browns.
DE Chase Winovich
He’s a hybrid defender, able to play with his hand down or standing up as an outside linebacker. That’s just one of the reasons why Chase Winovich works for the Browns. The other is his ability to get depth on the line of scrimmage. He’s not Myles Garrett out there, but as a low-cost option, he’s not bad. The Patriots are souring on him for some reason but with the state of the team heading straight to the top of the Trevor Lawerence sweepstakes, Winovich could see himself traded away.
New York Giants
LB Blake Martinez
He’s not as good as Joe Schobert in the coverage game, but he’s a beast of a tackler. His deal also isn’t too big to take on, with a solid opt-out after year two and he’s still young enough to be a long-term option. The only thing that hinders him is the fact he’d need to come off the field in third and long. That’s his biggest issue.
LB Kyler Fackrell
A low-cost option for pass-rushing if the Browns opt to be conservative at the deadline. He’s shown a good ability to get after the quarterback and with Myles Garrett on the team, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to make an impact on the team. He’s not a full-time linebacker, as he’s not a great guy in coverage but he’s able to chase the quarterback which is what you’re getting him to do.
DB Jabrill Peppers
Jabrill Peppers was a player who never should’ve been traded (like Joe Schobert), and this is a way to rectify that move. Peppers is still a good player and has shown to be one of the better tacklers on the Giants defense. He played deep in Gregg Williams’ defense due to his ability to get after pass catchers and is known for his big hits, which tells you he’ll walk up and put a smack on anyone, no matter how big they are.
New York Jets
WR Braxton Berrios
This is a great idea for the Jets. Braxton Berrios is young, cost-effective, and talented. He’s not an instant game-changer but he may be a late bloomer. He adds instant depth to the Browns and with how badly managed the Jets are, you could probably get him for a cardboard cutout of Myles Garrett that has a sign stapled to the front of it that reads “I’m real, not a cardboard cutout”.
CB Brian Poole
Brian Poole is a solid nickel corner who can start when needed. He’s on a real nice one-year contract and can make an actual impact on this Browns team. Mostly because of how little impact Terrance Mitchell and Kevin Johnson. It’s entirely possible that Aneas Williams, at 52-years-old, could be a better option than Mitchell. As corner’s go, Mitchell has been so bad he can’t even catch a cold, let alone a ball.
CB Pierre Desir
If you trade for Brian Poole, you might as well trade for Pierre Desir as well. Mitchell isn’t the only problem on the team, looking at you Kevin Johnson. Desir has been apart of some strong Colts defenses over the years and the hope is that with both Poole and Desir being on inexpensive one-year contracts, you can get them for cheap and upgrade the defense in the same breath.
Philadelphia Eagles
WR Greg Ward
This is another one of those guys who could be had regardless of the Browns‘ long-term views on Odell Beckham Jr. are. He’s young, able to play in the slot, not expensive, and isn’t going to break the bank to acquire. The issue comes with what would it take to get him and even if you do get him for next to nothing, will his arrival be enough to bolster the receiver corp.
DE Brandon Graham
Brandon Graham’s deal is a bit misleading. His final few years are void, meaning the Browns wouldn’t have to worry about his dead cap money. Probably. NFL contracts are weird and stupid, and needlessly complicated. Graham could be had a discount and probably (not?) cost too much against the cap. Plus, he’s 32, so the Eagles would be happy to take a 5th round pick back for him. They’re not going anywhere or maybe they are? The NFC East is a dumpster fire this year.
CB Darius Slay
He could be the worst cornerback on the planet and the Browns should acquire just for his name alone. The good news for Browns fans, Slay is one of the best corners in the league. Now with all NFC East teams, you may not get anything from them, despite the fact they’re all under .500. If the Eagles feel its best to maximize Slay’s value, he’d be a big get that would take the pressure off of the Browns safeties but would also be the big “get” for the Browns cap space. Getting him means you’d likely be done adding big money to the payroll.
Washington Football Team
LB Jon Bostic
He might be a lateral move for the Browns. He’s arguably as good if not slightly better than what the Browns already have at linebacker. He’s on an affordable deal but so are all the Browns’ linebackers. He’s developed a reputation as a journeyman player, and now one as a dirty player after his hit on Andy Dalton. Had to have three from each team, though. Even if that team is as depleted as Washington.
CB Ronald Darby
Honestly, this list was compiled when Landon Collins wasn’t looking at a year+ on the shelf with an Achilles injury, so Ronald Darby is a late addition to the list. Darby’s a corner. The Browns need corners. He’s a starter, that right there makes him better than Terrance Mitchell (Pretty sure Air Bud is better than Mitchell, and cheaper). So yeah lacking enthusiasm, Darby makes the list.
I feel so bad for the fans of Washington.
DE/OLB Ryan Kerrigan
He’s not even starting anymore, but he’s got the skills still to compete. He’s playing half of the snaps the defense plays on his best days and Jack Del Rio thinks it’s unrealistic to play him that much. That’s not going to be something Ryan Kerrigan wants to hear. Kerrigan can still play, and can still get after the quarterback. The Browns need help and with Porter Gustin on the team, they can manage Kerrigan’s workload.