Cleveland Browns: Potential under the radar trade targets
By Dan Justik
Kerry Hyder Jr.
Not only are the Browns thin on the edge on the defensive line, but they also lack depth up the middle. Both Larry Ogunjobi and Trevon Coley have had to play a lot of snaps, and there has been no one to fill their spots to give them snaps off.
Most of the time that Coley gets snaps off is when the Browns kick Ogbah inside and put Genard Avery on the edge. So it would make sense for the Browns to add another tackle at the trade deadline.
Kerry Hyder Jr. had a breakout season in 2016, making 36 total tackles, eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 19 quarterback hits.
After his impressive 2016 season, Hyder tore his Achilles during the 2017 preseason, forcing him to miss the entire 2017 season. He returned healthy in 2018, but does not have much of a role in Matt Patricia’s defense. He has been active for only three games this season, but has been inactive the other weeks.
With how little he has been used this season, it may not take many assets for the Browns to acquire Hyder. He has experience playing tackle and defensive end, so his versatility could be attractive for the Browns.
Adding someone that could replace Coley on third down, or even play some snaps for Ogunjobi, could pay dividends for the run defense. The Browns have struggled to stop the run this season, and having fresher defensive tackles could create more push up the middle.