The Cleveland Browns are poised to be significant players in the upcoming NFL trade deadline as they navigate a challenging season with a current record of 2-6. With a bye week scheduled for Week 9, the Browns’ performance on the field will not change, but their roster is expected to undergo substantial modifications. Following the recent trade of cornerback Greg Newsome II to the Jacksonville Jaguars, speculation about further trades is intensifying.
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Browns should consider trading away nearly any player not named Denzel Ward or Myles Garrett. Barnwell emphasizes that the team should be viewing the future, specifically the 2026 and 2027 seasons, suggesting that many players are on the trading block. Potential trade candidates include notable names such as David Njoku, Jerome Ford, Jerry Jeudy, Joel Bitonio, Teven Jenkins, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller, and Shelby Harris.
Barnwell highlights that the Browns’ strategy should not solely focus on future prospects. The team is likely to be active in free agency next offseason, which complicates their ability to accumulate compensatory draft picks. If players like Bitonio, Teller, Njoku, and Ford leave for new teams without the Browns receiving anything in return, it would represent a significant loss for the franchise.
Trading these valuable assets now could yield additional draft capital, open roster spots for younger talent, and ultimately save financial resources. Barnwell believes that the timing is right for the Browns to part ways with several veterans, given the current state of the team.
Both Andrew Berry, the team’s general manager, and head coach Kevin Stefanski appear to have the support of owner Jimmy Haslam, which alleviates immediate pressure regarding their job security. This stability allows the organization to pursue trades without the fear of jeopardizing their positions due to a temporary downturn in performance.
The NFL trade deadline is set for November 4, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. As the deadline approaches, the Browns are expected to explore various options, making it likely that further roster changes will occur in the lead-up to this critical date. The strategic decisions made during this period could have lasting implications for the team’s direction in the coming years.
