Cleveland Browns: What options do the Browns have at wide receiver?

Trade Options

Before looking at the most likely trade scenarios, Browns fans need to understand that a trade for Odell Beckham Jr. during the season would be almost impossible to pull off. Yes, Beckham is miserable in New York and seemingly wants out of the Giants organization. But the five-year, $90 million extension he signed before the season ends any possibility of him being traded.

According to Spotrac, the Giants would have $40 million in dead money if they traded Beckham during the season. There is almost zero chance the Giants would be willing to deal with that much dead money to fulfill Beckham’s wish of getting out of New York.

So with Beckham not being a possibility, the two most likely trade options for the Browns are Amari Cooper and DeVante Parker.

After looking like the next best up and coming wide receiver in his first two seasons in the NFL, Cooper has struggled to make anything happen the past two years. Last season, Cooper caught 48 of his 96 targets for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. This season, Cooper has caught 22 of his 32 targets for 280 yards and a touchdown.

Cooper has not found a role in the Raiders offense the past two seasons, and many believe that Raiders head coach Jon Gruden is not using Cooper effectively. That is why the expectation is Cooper will be traded before the trade deadline.

Cooper would give the Browns a wide receiver capable of creating plays for his quarterback. He has shown few flashes of it the past two seasons, but the potential is there. Cooper has also struggled with drops, which is something the Browns do not need in any receiver they acquire.

Cooper was injured on a big hit during the Raiders Week 6 game, and he was forced to leave the game. Depending on his status, making a move for Cooper would not make sense since he may not be able to play right away.

The other option the Browns could consider is Parker. The Dolphins wide receiver has not lived up to the expectations of being a first round pick. Injuries have derailed the start of his career and have not let him stay on the field for an extended period of time. Parker has caught 141 passes for 1,948 yards and eight touchdowns in his four-year career.

However, despite the belief earlier in the season that Parker was being shopped, the Dolphins seem to have decided to hold onto the wide receiver. So unless the Dolphins receive an offer that blows them out of the water, Parker seems likely to remain in Miami.

Cooper may be the Browns best trade target before the trade deadline. If his injury is not too serious and he would be available for Week 6, the Browns should consider taking a flyer on him. But the Browns are not in a position where they are one receiver away. Cooper has a team option for 2019, and would be an unrestricted free agent in 2020. So the Browns trading meaningful picks for Cooper would not make sense.