It’s obvious the Browns need to make a move at the trade deadline, and these are the three dream “gets” at the four biggest positions of need.
The Cleveland Browns got embarrassed by the Las Vegas Raiders all day on defense. The Raiders did what the Browns needed to do, and controlled the clock for the entire game. The Raiders limited the Browns to only six offensive series all game. Two ended in a score, and a third would’ve if it wasn’t for the wind. While the Browns still would’ve lost, that shows you how effectively the Browns were moving the ball.
The Browns receivers let them down, dropping five key passes that would’ve turned the tide of the game. The defense, however, proved that Andrew Berry didn’t do anything but make the unit worse from their 2019 counterpart. A unit that was already pretty bad. In fact, the unit was so bad the offense had the least offensive attempts in 30 years.
The defense needs help. More importantly, Baker Mayfield needs help. Odell Beckham Jr. is gone for the year (and likely next for one reason or another), Jarvis Landry is in obvious pain and isn’t playing up to his old self, and the team may need to reshape the offense next year.
So yes, there is a need at receiver. There’s also a need at defensive back (namely corner but there are not many worthwhile ones available), linebacker, and defensive end. The Browns need to land someone who’s a home run, especially after the way Berry cut the defense into ribbons this past offseason.
We know that Berry can cut salary from the unit but let’s see if he can’t add some too.
Wide Receiver
Adam Thielen
This pick makes the most sense for the Browns for a variety of reasons. He’s signed long-term, he’s a quality replacement for Odell Beckham Jr. both this year and beyond, his cap hit is less than Beckham’s, and his dead cap hit is next to nothing if the Browns need to move on from him before his deal is up. He knows Kevin Stefanski’s offense so there’d be a little adjustment needed and he’d give Baker Mayfield a weapon that isn’t known for being a diva. A perfect fit.
Curtis Samuel
Curtis Samuel may seem like an odd selection but his multi-facet game makes him a valued asset. He can either line up in the slot or behind Mayfield and has shown the ability to break plays as either a runner or a receiver. With nearly 2,000 all-purpose yards, Samuel could be the next Josh Cribbs or Dennis Northcutt for the Browns.
Julian Edelman
Yes, Julian Edelman is on injured reserve. The Browns also have two weeks to see if he could get healthy. While he’s not a big, deep play receiver like Julio Jones, what Edelman does is very simple and that gets open quickly. Mayfield needs a player like that, someone he can rely on underneath.
Defensive Line
J.J. Watt
This is the ideal fit for the Browns. He’s arguably the best player of his generation on defense, he’s got a high motor and impressive pass-rushing skills. He’s also been an impact player in all facets of the defense. More than that, with his size, quickness, and technique, he can line up in a variety of spots like Myles Garrett. Watt is strong enough that he could even slide inside at tackle and rush the guards. Watt’s versatility is what makes him so valuable. He’s got two years left on his deal, he’s barely more per-year than Olivier Vernon and this is the last year his contract has any penalties from cutting him. So essentially, if he doesn’t pan out, the Browns can cut bait. It’s a perfect move.
Ryan Kerrigan
Ryan Kerrigan can still play even if his opportunities have been limited in Washington. Since the Browns have an emerging player in Porter Gustin, Kerrigan could be saved for bigger drives and more obvious passing situations. He’s requested a trade, and the Browns could probably wrangle him free for a late-round pick.
Grady Jarrett
The Browns need help everywhere on the line and Grady Jarrett could help at tackle. His cap numbers aren’t great, with an annual price tag of $20 million for next year, but the Browns could easily get most of that from Sheldon Richardson’s deal if they were to cut him after this season. With the $12 million that cutting Richardson would get you, Jarrett would be very affordable. The only question is, does Atlanta want to take the cap hit to get rid of him for some draft assets?
Linebackers
Joe Schobert
One day a list of the players the Browns never should’ve let go will happen on this site, and on that day Joe Schobert’s name will be brought up yet again. Andrew Berry thought Schobert could be replaced cheaply and found out the hard way that is not the case. Now eight games into the season, fans are starting to realize that $10 million for the former Brown seems like a bargain compared to the play of the other linebackers. The Jaguars aren’t likely to move him due to his contract, which would penalize the Jags $12 million if traded before June 1.
Myles Jack
For the same reason, it’s likely Schobert won’t be move, Myles Jack is in the same situation. The Jaguars would eat a lot of money trading him before June 1 ($9.8 million) so it’s unlikely Jack will see a new team much before 2022. Schobert’s the better player but Jack has a lot to offer if a deal for Schobert can’t be done.
Blake Martinez or Kyler Fackrell (or both)
Honestly, the Browns should call the Denver Broncos or the New York Giants and swing for three players in one deal. For the Broncos, they were brought up in a different article, but for the Giants (same article) two of the players are right here. They’re both vastly different. Blake Martinez a late-90s, early ’00s middle linebacker with moderate coverage skills but a great nose for tackles. Kyler Fackrell is a pass rush specialist who could finally give the linebacking corp some bite. The third player the Giants have the Browns should want is coming up.
Defensive Backs
Harrison Smith
The future Hall of Famer has been healthy for the majority of his career and has been fantastic pass coverage against offenses. He’s still an elite level player and only has a year on his deal at his current price. This is the last year of his dead cap and only has one year at $9 million left. The Browns have more than enough money to afford him.
Anthony Harris
Anthony Harris is in his last year, so that’s not great for the Browns. He may opt not to re-sign and then what? Beyond that, he’s also more expensive this year, meaning he’ll probably want as much or more to re-sign. If Smith can’t be had, Harris is the next logical option.
Jabrill Peppers
If the Browns just decide to start buying the best parts of bad teams, then the deal mentioned before about Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell wouldn’t be complete without former Browns player Jabrill Peppers. Peppers was a vital component while in Cleveland, which is why the Giants wanted him in the deal for Odell Beckham Jr. (Kevin Zeitler was technically traded in a separate deal for Olivier Vernon). Bringing back Peppers won’t make the secondary all of a sudden better but it will improve the team’s tackling.