NFL writer would be ‘stunned’ if Gerald McCoy doesn’t play for Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly interested in Gerald McCoy, and one NFL writer would be stunned if McCoy is not on the Browns Week 1 roster.

The Cleveland Browns and general manager John Dorsey have not shied away from making a big addition to the roster, and they could be looking to make another one in Tampa Bay’s Gerald McCoy.

The Browns were connected to McCoy Monday by Steve Doerschuck of the Canton Repository, who said Dorsey’s interest in McCoy was “ongoing.”

"“Pre-draft reports out of Tampa Bay said the Buccaneers would gladly trade veteran defensive tackle Gerald McCoy if the price was deemed right. The draft came and went with McCoy still on the roster.Dorsey’s interest in McCoy is believed to be ongoing, and the Buccaneers likely still have an appetite for getting value from him for the program new pilot Bruce Arians is building.” – Doerschuck, Akron Beacon Journal"

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The Browns have made it a priority to build up their defensive line this offseason, adding Olivier Vernon and Sheldon Richardson to the fold. However, with the Browns taking an all-in approach, it would not be surprising to see them take chances on more veterans.

McCoy is one of the players they may take a chance on, even though they already have their two starting defensive tackles: Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi. But Dan Hanzus of NFL.com said he would be “stunned” if McCoy is not wearing the orange and brown in 2019.

"“When you factor in the forward momentum of this franchise right now, I’d be stunned if Gerald McCoy — a rumored Browns trade target — is playing anywhere but Cleveland come September.” – Hanzus, NFL.com"

McCoy is on the trade market because the Buccaneers have barely any cap space and need to make some cap casualties. McCoy and his $13 million cap hit would be a move that would help give Tampa Bay some breathing room with the salary cap.

Even though the Browns already have a solid starting defensive line, adding a talent like McCoy would create a rotation that would make life miserable for opposing offensive lines. Not only would the Browns build strong depth, but it would help keep the starters fresh for an entire game.

When Doerschuck first reported Cleveland’s interest in McCoy, he mentioned running back Duke Johnson as a potential return for the Bucs. Tampa Bay could be in the market for a running back after not receiving much production from their current group of backs. And with Johnson wanting out of Cleveland, he seems like a logical piece of a potential trade.

McCoy is also a candidate to be cut, so the Browns may not need to make a trade for McCoy. But the dots keep connecting McCoy to Cleveland, similar to the Odell Beckham Jr. situation before he eventually landed in the Dawg Pound.