The Cleveland Browns may trade Harrison Bryant, but should they?

Sports Illustrated thinks the Cleveland Browns may trade Harrison Bryant, but should they?

The Cleveland Browns are looking at a cap-pocalpyse next season. With roughly $64 million due to Watson alone next season, all of which is against the cap, and next to no realistic way to wiggle out of the money due (without further ruining other seasons), the Browns are looking like a team that may make massive cuts to their roster. Names like Nick Chubb, Wyatt Teller, and others have been mentioned as guys who may be gone after 2023.

Other names have been mentioned as potential trade pieces. That seems to be the case for soon-to-be-fourth-year tight end, Harrison Bryant, who is in the final year of his rookie deal. Bryant, who is the team’s backup to David Njoku, may be able to fetch some interest around the league.

And Sports Illustrated’s Alber Breer seems to think that if anyone does get dealt in 2023, it’s Bryant, saying;

"Browns TE Harrison Bryant’s name was raised, and I know the Browns would at least look to other teams on him, with David Njoku entrenched and the 2020 fourth-rounder headed into a contract year."

Harrison Bryant would, presumably, be one of the cheaper players the Cleveland Browns could bring back.

Right now, Bryant is counting about $400k against the cap (rounded up). He’s got potential, he’s super athletic and has a big body, and frankly may do well as a receiver with his skillset, yet the Browns seem open to trading him and that baffles me.

The most likely candidate to get released or cut among the tight ends is likely Njoku. The Browns can shave $13 million from their cap hit if they release him after June 1, or $16 million if they can trade him after June 1.

While Bryant seems like an expandable piece, at least compared to Njoku, the Browns are going to be going into a budget-spending mode in 2024, and re-signing Bryant and then moving on from Njoku will likely save you at least $11-$12 million against the 2024 cap.

If Watson is as good as people say he is, he doesn’t need Njoku (didn’t have anyone like him in Houston), and if he isn’t as good as people say he is, Njoku certainly isn’t going to help.