Should the Cleveland Browns move Kareem Hunt before they lose him?

The Cleveland Browns would be wise to move Kareem Hunt.

While some may be disappointed that Deshaun Watson only got 11 games, what is missed in the announcement is that the Cleveland Browns are looking at a losing season this year. The team has a really hard schedule for the first 11 games of the year, with anywhere from six to eight realistic playoff teams to worry about before Watson returns in Week 11 against the Texans.

To say the team would be lucky to have four wins by that point would be an understatement. Now, listen, miracles happen. Case Keenum made everyone believe he was a competent quarterback for an entire season once. Things happen. The Browns could easily go 11-0 in one of the most bonkers, hard to explain, makes no sense seasons ever.

They could also be on their fifth head coach in five seasons by Week 11, we don’t know. It’s because of that uncertainty, however, that it makes all the sense in the world to trade Kareem Hunt now, and capitalize on his value. Just like Cavs beat writer Chris Fedor suggested.

Trading Kareem Hunt is the only way the Cleveland Browns can get guaranteed value

People who talk about getting compensatory picks for free agents really don’t understand that it’s not an automatic thing. There’s so much that goes into it, like the contract of the player who leaves, the contract’s value and length of the new team he goes to, his production, his production versus others at his position. It’s a stupid and inconceivable formula that makes no sense.

There’s no guarantee that Hunt nets the Browns a fourth-round pick if he leaves in free agency. He could get hurt. He could say the wrong thing and find himself without a team. He could hit the free agency market during the best running back draft class ever. He could struggle in Cleveland.

I’d rather take a fifth and a sixth-round draft pick for Hunt today, than play the NFL’s version of the lottery and hope for a fourth. Heck, see if there’s a young receiver you can go get for Hunt. Get anything that makes this team better and younger.