Cleveland Browns trade chatter: Swap Odell Beckham for Julio Jones

Just when the Cleveland Browns roster seemed set for 2021, Julio Jones made it known he wants out of Atlanta.

The Browns are one of eight teams who have the cap space to make a deal without having to move money around, according to The MMQB’s Albert Breer. Plus, the Browns are Super Bowl contenders and Jones is being viewed as the player to get Cleveland over the top.

But would the Browns really take on another receiver making around $15 million? They already have $30 million committed to Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.

The Falcons reportedly want a first-round pick for Jones, which is ludicrous. No team will give away a first-round pick a 32-year-old receiver.

But what if you could swap out Beckham for Jones? Would that be enough. Cleveland.com reporter Mary Kay Cabot was posed the question on her podcast. (3:34).

"“That’s probably what it would come down to, I would think. And I don’t know if you would have to give up anything else. I don’t really know that you would. I think that, I’ve heard someone say that you could almost get Julio for a second round pick. If that were the case, then that would be a pretty darn even swap, I would think. I just don’t see it happening.”"

After diving in a little deeper, Cabot believes the Browns would rather have a 29-year-old Beckham, compared to a 32-year-old Jones.

If you’re a regular visitor here, you know I’m not exactly a president of the OBJ fan club. He still gets way too much hype for a catch he made for a different team many, many years ago. He was an elite player then, but since he’s come to Cleveland, I’ve counted one game in which he’s truly taken over, over a two-year period.

I probably would deal Beckham for Jones. Jones has been the picture of health–until last year when he was limited to just nine games. I’m a little worried this is the beginning of the end, but keep in mind, OBJ suffered his share of injuries throughout his career and he’s approaching that dreaded 30-year mark.

Additionally, Baker has yet to be at his best with Beckham on the field. Injuries robbed us of seeing them together for half of the 2020 campaign. When they were together, the offense could get clunky. Perhaps Mayfield was still working out the kinks of teaming up with another new coach.

As for Cabot hearing about a second-round pick being enough–I wouldn’t do that either. Now-a-days, second round picks usually start. We’ve seen Andrew Berry enough now to know he’s aggressive, but he’s not going to reach, either.