Cleveland Browns don’t need Deebo Samuel trade, already have that player

Deebo Samuel requested a trade from the San Francisco 49ers and while adding such a talent to the Cleveland Browns sounds tantalizing, don’t forget that there is a similar player who already wears an orange helmet.

Kareem Hunt’s the guy, but it might have been easy to forget as the former rushing champ was limited to just eight games because of injuries in 2021.

Samuel is more of a receiver who will run, while Hunt is the opposite, but both players have unique skillsets and are capable of hitting home runs whenever they possess the ball.

Don’t get me wrong, if the Browns somehow manage to get Samuel, I’ll be the first to celebrate.

Keep in mind, though, Hunt had 1,145 yards from scrimmage during the 2020 campaign, when he played in 16 games. That was while playing in an offense with Nick Chubb, Jarvis Landry and OBJ (for half a season).

Samuel is credited with lifting the 49ers offense into the NFC title game, as the team leaned heavily on his services. Overall, he had 136 touches for 1,770 yards.

The Browns can pick and choose when to utilize Hunt, whose dynamic has become even more intriguing considering the team’s addition of Deshaun Watson at quarterback.

Not taking anything away from Samuel, who is a great player,  but there’s only so many footballs to go around in Cleveland and Hunt will be looking for a rebound year heading into free agency next offseason.

Cleveland Browns mock draft update

In the mock draft world, I perused this two-round mock from Pro Football Network, which had Minnesota edge rusher Boye Mafe tapped for the 44th pick.

Better than a defensive tackle, but this is where I admittedly will tell you I’d be the worst scout. The blurb about Mafe says he should a “long-term piece for the Browns’ pass rush.” Maybe so, but if he was that good, what’s he still doing here at 44?

It’s more likely his future is as a rotational piece, not the “tag-team partner” for Garrett as the article described.

OK, everyone’s just guessing anyway, but really, the biggest problem I had with this pick was Georgia WR George Pickens was still available, going 49th to the Saints.

UC’s Alec Pierce went 50th to the Chiefs. If one of those players is available, Andrew Berry needs to do the right thing and procure more talent for the wide receiving corps.