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

5. Cleveland Browns buy WR Brandin Cooks

The Cleveland Browns have Odell Beckham Jr., but they don’t have an elite wide receiver–something that’s holding this offense back.

That’s why I’m buying on Texans’ receiver Brandin Cooks. Pro Football Focus forecasted that it would take a 2022 second-, and 2023-fifth rounder to pry Cooks out of Houston.

The analytically oriented website added that with it looking like this might be Odell’s last year, the Browns shouldn’t waste an opportunity to improve.

"“[This trade] all the more reason for the Browns to make a push to maximize the 2021 season before decisions are necessary on a handful of key players, including quarterback Baker Mayfield.”"

Cooks looked great when Tyrod Taylor was healthy and playing. He led the league with 23 catches through the first three weeks of the season, not dropping a single pass.

The veteran has a track record of going to a new team and immediately producing.

in the NFL with 23 receptions through three weeks. He didn’t drop a single pass and hauled in four contested catches, all while generating a 13.8-yard average depth of target.