3 Star Wide Receivers the Browns Can Trade For

The Cleveland Browns have experienced mixed results to begin the 2023 NFL campaign, heading into their Week 5 bye week with a 2-2 record. Although there are a few reasons why the Browns could have a better record, a lack of production from the wide receiver room is one of the most glaring issues.

Outside of Amari Cooper, Cleveland's WR group has been largely invisible. Not only do the Browns only have one wideout averaging more than 40 receiving yards per game, but they haven't even received a touchdown from the position outside of Cooper's Week 3 TD.

Although our current receiver situation isn't exactly ideal, we're fortunate that a handful of talented wideouts are available for a trade.

Here are three star WRs the Browns can trade for to help improve their aerial attack.

3 Browns Trade Targets: Star Wide Receivers

1. Mike Evans — Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans' name was involved in trade rumors as soon as the offseason began. After all, Tom Brady's retirement had many thinking the Buccaneers were heading toward a rebuild and would attempt to sell off valuable pieces for draft capital.

However, a trade didn't happen and Evans was left on Tampa Bay's roster to begin the 2023 season. While it looked like the Bucs were content to hold onto him, you can never say never in the world of sports and they'd be wise to move him now rather than lose him as a free agent in the winter.

If there's a chance that Evans is still available, general manager Andrew Berry must pounce on the opportunity.

After all, the 30-year-old has been one of the best playmakers over the last decade. Since debuting in 2014, Evans ranks eighth among all WRs when it comes to receptions (703), second in receiving yards (10,762), second in yards per reception (15.3), and second in receiving touchdowns (84).

He's also on pace to record 1,433 receiving yards this season, which would extend his record for most consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns to begin a career (currently at 9).

Adding Evans to our WR would instantly turn things around. Teams would struggle to gameplan for both him and Cooper, opening up the door for both men to create big plays. Besides, we already saw the results Deshaun Watson produced with DeAndre Hopkins in Houston and I feel like he could have similar success with a reliable target like Evans.

2. Jerry Jeudy — Denver Broncos

If the Browns want a proven commodity, Evans is their guy. But what if they want to add a WR who hasn't reached his ceiling yet?

Enter Jerry Jeudy.

Last week, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer theorized that the Denver Broncos could begin a firesale if they can't turn their season around soon. Although the Broncos found a way to earn their first victory of the year in Week 4, the win came against the Chicago Bears, so there's little reason to assume brighter times are on Denver's horizon.

Assuming that the Broncos do blow it all up, Jeudy is a must-add for the Browns. Drafted 15th overall in 2020, Jeudy is a talented wideout who was on pace for his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2022 and would've reached it if it wasn't for his missing two games due to injury.

Jeudy's numbers are down this year (11 catches for 158 yards in three games), but that has more to do with the Broncos being awful thus far. A new environment could benefit him, especially with his only being 24 years old. Chances are, we haven't even seen the best that he has to offer yet.

Acquiring Jeudy also addresses the Browns' future. The ex-Alabama product is under contract through 2024 due to the Broncos exercising his fifth-year option this offseason, giving Cleveland more stability than a probable rental like Evans.

If Watson continues being the version of himself that we saw in Week 3 (289 passing yards, two TDs, 81.8% completion rate), Jeudy could wind up being the WR1 that many assumed he could be at the time of his draft.

3. Davante Adams — Las Vegas Raiders

Cooper is currently our WR1, but that would immediately change if the Browns find a way to acquire Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Adams found himself in trade rumors the second he made it clear that he isn't happy with the Raiders' lack of results. He joined Las Vegas last year in hopes of winning a Super Bowl, only for the Raiders to go 6-11 in 2022 before getting off to a 1-3 start this season.

If Adams does force the 'Siver and Black' to trade him, Berry should be the first GM to pick up his phone.

The 30-year-old weapon is as dangerous as they coming, recording over 10,000 receiving yards with 90 TDs since 2014. He's been named first-team All-Pro in each of the three previous seasons and is on pace to do it for a fourth straight campaign. He's up to 33 catches for 397 yards and three TDs through four outings, putting him on pace for a 141-1,688-13 stat line over 17 games.

Adams also has a history of finding success against our division. He has 74 catches for 967 yards and nine TDs in 10 career games against the AFC North, so it's easy to salivate the thought at what he could do to our rivals six times per year.

With four seasons remaining on his contract (including 2023), Adams is someone who can bring the Browns' WR room to elite levels for years to come.

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