NFL draft trade down, big NFL free agency splash for the Browns this offseason?
For my pop culture enthusiasts, I am sure people are familiar with the Disney+ show “What If?”. If you don’t know what the show is, it’ll be a brief explanation. The show is basically about exploring multiple timelines across the MCU multiverse if the events occurred differently (examples such as what If Black Panther antagonist Killmonger rescued Tony Stark or Captain Peggy Carter became the First Avenger instead of Steve Rogers).
You get the idea. Let’s use this concept and apply it to the Cleveland Browns.
These two scenarios are the ones that came to mind:
What if… the Cleveland Browns decided to trade down with either the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders in the upcoming NFL Draft?
It wouldn’t be the worst possible scenario. The Tennessee Titans aren’t committed to drafting a QB with the 1st overall pick, and recently hired GM Mike Borgonzi gave this quote on the team’s potential draft plans:
Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker at today’s press conference to introduce new GM Mike Borgonzi: “We won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL Draft.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2025
If the Titans choose to pass on a QB such as Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders and draft someone such as wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter, then the Browns have an option to make.
Cleveland does need a quarterback, however, this QB class may not have a QB worth taking this high. Considering how desperate the Giants and Raiders are for a quarterback either team will be desperate enough to trade up to #2 to get their guy. The Browns should be open to this and try to get a decent haul in return.
Plethora of draft picks and using those draft picks to build the team back into playoff contention wouldn’t be surprising.
What if…. the Cleveland Browns chose to make a splash move in free agency that no one expects them to make?
Is it possible? Probably. However, I doubt it happens.
GM Andrew Berry is proactive. Going back to last offseason, he traded with the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and gave him a new contract extension to go with it. Some had an issue with Berry giving the extension to Jeudy, who at the time didn’t do anything to justify it but considering the wide receiver market was going to explode with new deals he was able to get ahead of the curve.
Jeudy also had one of the best seasons he’s had.
Berry also attempted to go after San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during his contract standoff with the team. It’s never out of the ordinary for the Browns to do what’s best for the team, they aren’t willing to sit on their hands instead they will go out and be aggressive.
Could the team try to sign wide receiver Tee Higgins? Maybe but unlikely. Could they attempt to make a splash move in by trading for someone who will surprise everyone? Who knows.
As far as cap space goes, it’s not a concern as the team will find a way to get out of the negatives by restructuring and cutting players in order to get their contracts off the books.
Cleveland’s roster isn’t in as bad shape as people think but the team can make one splash move that could surprise everyone considering they have done it before.
Which would you prefer: A trade down out of #2 or going all in with a splash veteran signing/trade?