CLEVELAND — As the NFL Trade Deadline approaches at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns are one of the league's most interesting teams.
Not quite a Super Bowl contender, but still in a strong position to end its 17-year playoff drought, the Browns have some glaring weaknesses to fix, but may not be willing to go all-in on a win-now move.
Factor in a reported trade request from one of its former first-round picks and Cleveland could very well be active early and often in the lead up to Tuesday's deadline. With that in mind, let's take a look at the Browns' biggest needs, potential trade targets, and who might be on their way out from Cleveland.
Browns' biggest needs
Free safety
As has been well documented on social media, Andrew Sendejo has been a liability in the Browns' secondary. Minnesota Vikings star Anthony Harris and Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos are each playing on one-year franchise tags and would be significant upgrades, but would likely cost more than Cleveland is hoping to spend.
Wide receiver
Odell Beckham Jr.'s season-ending torn ACL has left the Browns wide receiving corps devoid of downfield speed and his future with the franchise remains unclear. Between Kenny Stills, Curtis Samuel and John Ross III, there are a number of pending free agents playing for non-contenders who would fit the bill -- and price -- of what Cleveland is looking for.
Defensive end
The good news is Olivier Vernon recorded two sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The bad news is they were his first two sacks of the season. In addition to getting Myles Garrett some help, the Browns lack general depth across their defensive line.
Linebacker
The Browns could use an upgrade at any of their three linebacker spots. A lacking market coupled with an preferance not to invest heavily at the position, however, could result in Cleveland staying put.
Defensive tackle
Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi have both been up and down through the first half of the 2020 season and neither may be on the Browns' roster in 2021. With Andrew Billings opting out of the season, rookie Jordan Elliott has been relief on more than expected thus far.
Cornerback
It remains unclear whether Greedy Williams will return to play this season after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason. Terrance Mitchell has held up fine enough, but the Browns could benefit from an upgrade opposite Denzel Ward.
Potential targets
Free safety
- Anthony Harris, Minnesota Vikings
- Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos
- Marcus Maye, New York Jets
- Logan Ryan, New York Giants
Wide receiver
- Will Fuller V, Houston Texans
- Curtis Samuel, Carolina Panthers
- Breshad Perriman, New York Jets
- John Ross III, Cincinnati Bengals
- Kenny Stills, Houston Texans
Defensive end
- Leonard Williams, New York Giants
- Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Football Team
- Takkarist McKinley, Atlanta Falcons
- John Simon, New England Patriots
- Dawuane Smoot, Jacksonville Jaguars
Linebackers
- Kevin Piere-Louis, Washington Football Team
- Joe Thomas, Dallas Cowboys
Defensive tackle
- Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
- Abry Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Mike Daniels, Cincinnati Bengals
- P.J. Hall, Houston Texans
Cornerbacks
- Bradley Roby, Houston Texans
- Brian Poole, New York Jets
Who could the Browns trade?
Tight end David Njoku
One of the Browns' three first-round picks in 2017, Njoku reportedly requested a trade over the summer and currently finds himself behind Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant on Cleveland's tight end depth chart. As evidenced by his crucial drop vs. the Raiders on Sunday, a change of scenery might behoove both himself and the Browns.
Defensive end Olivier Vernon
If not for Myles Garrett having just suffered a knee injury, it might make sense for the Browns to try to sell high on Vernon after his two-sack performance. Considering Cleveland's lack of depth at the position, however, the Browns will likely hold onto the pending free agent.
Safety Karl Joseph
After signing a one-year deal with the Browns in the offseason, Karl Joseph got off to a strong start to the 2020 campaign. But a hamstring injury resulted in Ronnie Harrison becoming Cleveland's starting free safety and it doesn't appear that will be changing anytime soon.