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Cleveland Browns: Potential under the radar trade targets

By Dan Justik

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 10: New General Manager John Dorsey of the Cleveland Browns is seen with owner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 10: New General Manager John Dorsey of the Cleveland Browns is seen with owner Jimmy Haslam before the game against the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 13: Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 13, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 13: Shaquil Barrett #48 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a sack during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 13, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray

One of the biggest issues for the Cleveland Browns defense is their lack of depth on the edges. Emmanuel Ogbah and Chris Smith are playing in a rotation at left defensive end. They both complement each other well, as Smith can be a solid pass rushing specialist.

But on the other side of the defensive line, there is no one behind Myles Garrett that can provide Garrett some snaps off. So far this season, Garrett has played 92 percent of the Browns defensive snaps.

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Garrett is a phenomenal player, but he needs to be able to take some snaps on the sidelines to remain effective through an entire game. In most of the games this season, Garrett’s exhaustion has been obvious in the fourth quarter.

For the Browns, adding an edge pass rusher would help provide that depth behind Garrett. One team that is looking to trade two of those types of players is Denver.

The Broncos are reportedly shopping both Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray ahead of the the trade deadline. Both play outside linebacker, but are primarily used as pass rushers in Denver’s defense. And both Barrett and Ray are due to be free agents at the end of the season.

Barrett is 25-years-old, and has been a valuable rotational pass rusher for Denver for his entire career. But this season, he is stuck behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, limiting his opportunities. He has made 15 total tackles this season, including two sacks, three tackles for loss, and three quarterback hits. He also has made seven pressures this season, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Ray has not played a huge role for Denver this season, playing only 28 percent of their defensive snaps this season. He has compiled only seven tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one quarterback hit. Like Barrett, he is competing for snaps behind Miller and Chubb.

Barrett is the more intriguing option for Cleveland, despite his lack of production this season. He would remain a rotational player with the Browns, but could see a bump in his snap counts. Using him behind Garrett would give the Browns a player that can get after the quarterback while giving Garrett some snaps off.

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