3 veterans Cleveland Browns should consider trading for after first round

Oakland Raiders Safety Karl Joseph

The Oakland Raiders made three selections in the first round of the draft, including drafting Jonathan Abram with the 27th overall selection. Abram’s selection gives the impression that the Raiders are looking to move on from Karl Joseph.

After starting the 2018 season slow, Joseph turned the corner during the second half of the season and became a tone setter for the Oakland defense. He is a strong tackler who is willing to come downhill and make tackles.

In 40 career games, Joseph has made 186 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and 12 passes defensed. His best season was in 2017, making 78 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Although the Browns filled their hole at safety when they signed Morgan Burnett and traded for Eric Murray, they signed Burnett to a contract that would allow them to move on from him with little cap consequences. Since Burnett is towards the end of his career, it would make sense for the Browns to prefer a younger player like Joseph.

There is also the possibility of keeping Burnett with a potential Joseph addition and playing him closer to the line of scrimmage, something he did often with the Packers. Joseph can also play in the box. If the Browns decide to not add a linebacker, such as Lee, they can use this approach of playing two linebackers and bringing one of their safeties into the box.

It is unknown what Oakland would want in return for a potential Joseph trade. But if John Dorsey and the Browns do not want to bring eight drafted rookies to camp, they have the assets to make a potential trade possible.