6 trades Cleveland Browns should buy, sell ahead of NFL deadline

4. Cleveland Browns sell CB Xavien Howard

Corner issues aren’t exclusive to the Cleveland Browns in 2021, and with the injuries piling up, Miami corner Xavien Howard should be on the team’s radar.

Howard requested a trade during the offseason, but was placated when Miami restructured his contract.

Adding another corner to the Brown seems like a reach, especially when you’re paying for a what did when he didn’t play for you. Howard had 10 picks last season while also leading the NFL with 20 passes defensed.  This year, he has one pick through six games. He does have six passes defensed, according to Pro-Football Reference.

Miami extended him and he’s now under contract through 2024. He’s due $36 million in time remaining on the deal.

Much is made of how Baker Mayfield doesn’t have a new contract, but the same is true of fellow 2018 first-round pick, Denzel Ward. How much will Ward be looking for in free agency? Every game, he seems to commit costly penalties or gives up head-scratching receptions.

Elsewhere on the roster, rookie Greg Newsome’s progression was slowed by ankle injury, although he is back, playing 21 snaps against the Cardinals. Greedy Williams is still gaining experience, but he’s had his moments.

A.J. Green also looks promising, although he just needs more reps.

That said, the Browns should be looking for help at corner, but not in an expensively priced Howard.