Cleveland Browns may use T.J. Carrie, Rashard Higgins as trade assets

The Cleveland Browns are in search of help on the offensive line, and they may use T.J. Carrie and Rashard Higgins as trade assets to acquire a lineman.

The Cleveland Browns and general manager John Dorsey are looking to address the offensive line before the trade deadline, scouring the market for potential options. If they do find a potential trade partner, they could use cornerback T.J. Carrie and wide receiver Rashard Higgins as trade bait.

The Browns have been linked to multiple offensive tackles, most notably Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams. But if the Browns can’t swing a deal for Williams, they have also been linked to Giants’ Nate Solder and Eagles’ Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

Because quality offensive linemen are hard to come by in the NFL, it will likely take quality assets to acquire a solid linemen. That is why Albert Breer of the MMQB believes Carrie and Higgins could be used as trade assets for the Browns.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

• How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
• Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
• 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
• Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
• 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target

Carrie is not a surprising name who could be a trade asset because of the depth the Browns have at cornerback. Carrie has started the last four games for the Browns as Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams nursed hamstring injuries. The 29-year-old has played well in that time, making 27 total tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, and two passes defensed.

Carrie is a versatile corner who has shown he can play well on the outside or covering the slot. But with Ward and Williams set to return from their injuries and Terrance Mitchell playing well, the Browns have the depth to move Carrie in order to improve their offensive front.

But another reason the Browns may be motivated to move Carrie is because of his cap hit. With the Browns expected to be cap-strapped in the near future with large extensions on the horizon, it would make sense that Cleveland may want to get out of Carrie’s contract. In 2020 and 2021, Carrie will have a cap hit of $8.15 million and $8.65 million.

On the other hand, Higgins is a surprising name. Higgins has proven to be a reliable playmaker for the Browns offense and has built a strong chemistry with Baker Mayfield. He has reliable hands and solid route running, helping him make plays in the middle of the field.

Higgins had a breakout season in 2018, catching 39 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns. Higgins has missed most of 2019 after suffering a knee injury in the season opener, but made two receptions for 46 yards in his lone game this season.

When Higgins is on the field, the Browns offense seems to move more fluently. Mayfield uses Higgins as his safety valve and Higgins can make plays in tight windows. It has been fairly apparent Mayfield has missed Higgins as the wide receiver missed time with his knee injury. So moving Higgins while the passing offense struggles would be a curious move.

The Browns could decide to trade Higgins because of his looming free agency. If Higgins returns to form once he is fully healthy, he should expect a nice pay raise in the offseason. With the Browns having over $30 million tied up at wide receiver between Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, Cleveland may not want to pay another receiver. So trading Higgins could be their way of getting something in return instead of letting him walk for nothing in the offseason.

With the trade deadline looming, it would be surprising if John Dorsey and the Browns do not make a deal. As they target offensive linemen, it may take a player like Carrie or Higgins in order for the Browns to finish a deal. And those two players do seem to make the most sense to be used as trade assets.