Marcedes Lewis Allegedly on the Block-Should the Browns Pick Up the Phone?
By Joe Zevchek
ProFootballTalk.com reported Monday morning that Jacksonville is seeking to trade tight end Marcedes Lewis. The reasons are not surprising, as Lewis hasn’t played a full season for two years and is due over $6 million this year. Plus, Lewis will turn 31 next year, meaning that he’s not exactly in the prime of his career. While Lewis’s career numbers haven’t always lived up to his first-round status, he was still a Pro-Bowler in 2010, and it should be remember that most of his playing time with the Jaguars came as the team relied heavily on their running game with Maurice Jones-Drew.
Would Lewis match the Browns’ needs? As this writer said in the draft profile of Clive Walford, the team could certainly use a big TE to bail out a mediocre quarterback, and at 6’6″ and 272 pounds, Lewis certainly fits the bill, and could also help in the running game. In his Pro Bowl season, Lewis caught 10 passes and 7 TD in the red-zone, displaying his ability as a scoring threat.
The main issue that is allegedly working against Lewis in Jacksonville is his $6.65 million salary. However, the Jaguars are allegedly willing to pay part of that salary, which could make Lewis quite a good value, even if he could produce 500 yards and half a dozen touchdowns while platooning with Gary Barnidge and Jim Dray. Even if the Browns couldn’t offset Lewis’s salary, it’s not as if it would put them in a financial bind.
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Depending on the Browns’ draft strategy, it wouldn’t hurt to inquire about Lewis. If they snag a TE such as Maxx Williams or Walford high, then the need for TE is filled. If the Browns prioritize other positions first, parting with a low round pick would still fulfill their need at the position. If the price is too high now, Lewis could possibly be acquired in a draft-day trade in the Jaguars are looking to trade up or back into a later round.
Should the Browns have interest in Marcedes Lewis or does he age/salary/production make him not worth it?