Cleveland Browns: Potential under the radar trade targets

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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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 6: Sam Bradford #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is sacked by Kerry Hyder #61 of the Detroit Lions during the of the game on November 6, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 6: Sam Bradford #8 of the Minnesota Vikings is sacked by Kerry Hyder #61 of the Detroit Lions during the of the game on November 6, 2016 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

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.