The NFL trade deadline, a pivotal moment in the league’s annual calendar, serves as a dynamic crossroads that brings hope and strategy to teams across the football landscape. This step gives franchises the opportunity to strengthen their workforce, address immediate needs or eliminate underperforming assets in pursuit of long-term success.
While the Cleveland Browns aren’t making any “splash” type moves, there could still be an opportunity to add some much-needed depth at certain positions or even upgrade if necessary.
With that said, let’s look at some names that could be potential targets for general manager Andrew Berry in the trade market.
The inconsistency and poor performance of current left tackle Jedrick Wills, Jr. (58th in pass-blocking efficiency and 7th in quarterback pressures allowed) could leave the Browns looking elsewhere for a left guard for future quarterback Deshaun Watson. Garett Bolles has recorded a pass blocking grade above 70.0 in all seven seasons of his career and is currently ranked 7th in the category in 2023. Bolles is also solid from a run blocking standpoint with his winning percentage is 82%. ranked 4th among qualified offensive tackles.
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The 2nd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Terrace Marshall has yet to really find his rhythm in the NFL. The former LSU Tiger has amassed 740 receiving yards on 61 yards (12.1 yards per reception) and a 73.9 passer rating when targeted so far in his career. Specifically for 2023, he’s on the lower end of the spectrum in terms of total EPA (-5.6) and yards per route run (0.8), but he could very well (at least to some extent) that) is a product of its environment. Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young ranked 32nd among 35 qualified quarterbacks in catch rate (79.7%) and 34th in adjusted net yards per pass attempt (3, 7). This hinders Marshall’s best ability to stretch the field. In fact, in 2022, Marshall led all EPA wide receivers by target in throws 10+ yards downfield (0.86). The Browns have struggled to create explosive passing plays, so Marshall could help in that regard.
Marquise Brown could be the deep threat the Browns offense sorely needs. His stats for 2023 are nothing short of remarkable, which isn’t surprising given the state of quarterback play in Arizona. However, in 2022, catching passes from Kyler Murray, Brown hauled in 67 receptions for 709 yards and three touchdowns at an average target depth of 11.7. More than 22 percent of his targets were more than 20 yards downfield, accounting for nearly 27 percent of the team’s total yards through the air. In 2020 with the Baltimore Ravens, Brown produced the 7th most points gained on targets over 15 yards (20.72). Brown has a high price tag, but his potential value on the football field could be worth it.
Outside of Amari Cooper, the Browns have struggled to generate significant production from other players at the position (Donovan Peoples-Jones has the 4th least targets per run and Elijah Moore has the 2nd lowest total EPA ). Darnell Mooney was a player who produced 1,055 yards, four touchdowns, and 1.72 yards per rush in 2021. Mooney’s role has since been reduced with the acquisition of a wide receiver other, D.J. Moore (over 25% of the team’s target share), so he could be a potential piece for a team in rebuilding mode
A name familiar to Browns fans, D’Ernest Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Dawg Pound. Johnson’s best production came in 2021, where he racked up 534 yards on 100 carries, as well as a position-best 90.6 rushing grade and the 2nd-most rushing yards over expected per attempt (1.44). Johnson is currently buried on the Jaguars depth chart behind Travis Etienne, Jr. and Tank Bigsby, so the team could choose to acquire some sort of draft capital for a player that will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Browns tight ends Harrison Bryant and Jordan Akins have combined for six catches for 27 yards and a touchdown through five contests this season. Needless to say, another playmaker could be used at the tight-end position. Enter Mike Gesicki, who has produced fairly well over his six-year career. His best two-season stretch came in 2020 and 2021, wherein he totaled 126 receptions on 188 targets for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns, as well as a number 13 overall finish in EPA in 2021 (+22.6). Gesicki provides value in positional versatility, having split his career offensive snaps 60 percent in the slot, 21 percent out wide, and 19 percent in-line. He could be worth a target and at a reasonable cost, especially if the Browns decide to trade Bryant before the deadline.
