As the Browns begin their “vacation period”, we know the work is not done. AB and his staff are always trying to improve the roster. While I don’t see the Browns making any splash moves from now until week one, I do see the possibility of the Browns trading one or two of their players. The Browns were the most active team at the end of training camp last year.
Here are some of the lower-risk trades the Browns have made in recent years. Includes the off-season and during the season.
2024
- OT Leroy Watson – Traded to the Titans for a 7th-round pick
2023
- Traded WR Donovan Peoples-Jones to Detroit in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick.
- Traded a 2025 seventh-round draft pick to the Chargers for K Dustin Hopkins.
- Traded OT Tyrone Wheatley for New England RB Pierre Strong Jr.
- Traded QB Joshua Dobbs and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick to Arizona in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round draft pick.
2022
- Acquired a 2022 seventh-round draft pick from Buffalo in exchange for QB Case Keenum.
- Traded LB Mack Wilson to New England for DE Chase Winovich.
The Browns have proven to do a mix of things with these trades. They will take a player who can impact their current roster in a one-for-one trade or they will take a lower draft pick. I am looking for positions that the Browns are deep in and who would most likely not make the roster.
Here is a link to my previous roster prediction. This should give you a guide to their roster depth.
https://clebrownsdiscourse.com/52-man-roster-prediction-for-the-cleveland-browns-may-addition/
- Defensive Back – The Browns are very deep at CB and Safety. The Browns got a head start on the new kickoff rule and added two special team aces in Justin Hardee and Tony Brown. Last season, the Browns kept Kahlef Hailassie on the roster after he was cut from the Chiefs. Also, I don’t think the Browns had plans to take a CB in the draft, but Myles Harden fell in their lap. Finally, they have five safeties that were on the roster last year.
- Defensive Tackle – A deep position for the Browns with three draft picks in the last two years. They signed Shelby Harris, Quinton Jefferson, and Maurice Hurst this offseason. I think Briggs is the only player that would have a chance to remain on the practice squad. Could they trade Hurst or Ika?
- Offensive Line – The Browns added more talent to the Line this offseason. I know they don’t want to run into the injury issue last year, but they will not be able to keep all of these players. I think the Browns could send Adeniji, Dunn, Allen, or Hudson to a team in need of O-Line help to start the season.
- Running Back – This is all dependent on the health of Nick Chubb. If he is good to go for Week 1, Jerome Ford or Pierre Strong will be fighting for the last spot.
- Quarterback – This is a long shot, but if someone offered a 7th-round pick for Tyler Huntley to be the backup, the Browns would obviously take it. If a team offered a 4th for DTR, do you think they would take it? I believe they would. Keeping three QBs on this roster seems like a waste, but the Browns have proven to do it.
