Browns: 6 best trades Cleveland should make at onset of free agency

5. Marcus Davenport

With the Saints in cap peril, the Browns might be able to pluck a former first-round pick who’s still on his rookie contract out of the Big Easy.

This deal was proposed by WKYC-TV’s Ben Axelrod, as the writer noted the Saints have a big decision to make regarding the 24-year-old.

New Orleans has yet to pick up his fifth-year option, so Davenport would come with two years of team control.

The trick is figuring out if Davenport is on his way to becoming a bust, or player just in need of more time. He ranked as PFF’s 20th graded pass rusher last season, but he had just 1.5 sacks in the 11 games he played. Obviously, the analytics and eye test don’t match on this one.

However, like Barnett, Davenport may need a change of scenery, while playing opposite of Garrett wouldn’t hurt.

If it works out, Davenport could potentially be a long-term answer at defensive end. For what it’s worth, his teammate, Trey Hendrickson, who is coming off 14.5 sack season, has been tied to the Browns in free agency.