Andrew Berry has got to start making smart choices for the Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns’ failure to trade David Njoku, Odell Beckham and Kareem Hunt has proven Andrew Berry holds on to players far too long.

The Cleveland Browns are going to need to rely on draft picks more than ever to help accelerate their return to the postseason. The team is going to make moves to get under the cap and some of that may mean cutting guys you don’t want to see go. That’s just how it is. To replace the guys that get cut or traded, they’re going to have to hit on the draft picks.

A challenge this year, no doubt, as the Browns lack a first-round pick. They do have a second, and two third-round picks, so that’s good. The first three rounds are usually where you find starters, at least when they’re rookies.

Yet, they only have three picks in the first three rounds, and none of them are a first. That means the Browns are actually still behind the eight-ball, so to speak. Especially considering the fact that the Browns opted to not make several major trades that would have helped them in this situation.

Andrew Berry not wanting to trade talent has hurt the Cleveland Browns

Since 2020, Berry opted to not trade several key names, namely David Njoku, Odell Beckham Jr., and Kareem Hunt since he took over as Browns’ GM. Now, you can argue that Njoku has been worth his new contract (he hasn’t) or that he’s a top tight end in the league (he isn’t), but we can all agree that he’s still here, and producing so that’s something.

Beckham and Hunt, however, were mismanaged by the Browns to the point that one got released and the other player wasn’t going to be re-signed. Trading both of them clearly seems like the smart decision. Moreover, all three men asked to be traded. They were ok with moving on.

Instead, Berry doubled down and said “no”. Beckham and Hunt didn’t do much to help the Browns even in 2020, let alone after, and trading them when they had value would’ve benefited the Browns currently.

I get not trading Njoku, but he’s not worth his contract, and the Browns may have to move on from him sooner rather than later. If that does happen, you can add him to the list too.

Each guy could’ve netted the Browns something if they had traded them upon the initial request. Maybe a second, maybe a third, maybe a fourth. All of that is better than what they ended up getting, nothing, and it’s not like their departure helped them get back to the playoffs or back to the playoffs.

Berry can ill-afford to not make smarter moves in 2023’s offseason, or the Browns are really screwed.