Trent Williams name can’t escape the Cleveland Browns

Reports continue to come out that the Cleveland Browns are keeping close tabs on All-Pro tackle Trent Williams. Will the Cleveland Browns make a move?

Just two days before the draft, Trent Williams is once again in the news for the Cleveland Browns. ESPN’s Josina Anderson reported Tuesday morning the Browns have continued to stay in touch with the Washington Redskins about a trade for Williams.

Have the Redskins lowered their expectations of what they would want in return for the 32-year-old tackle? If not, don’t look for Browns general manager Andrew Berry to get into a bidding war with another team.

The Cincinnati Bengals were rumored to have offered the Redskins pick No. 65 in exchange for Williams, yet there has still been no movement.

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If the Redskins were satisfied with a third-round pick, this could be a tempting trade for the Browns front office. Remember the Browns have two picks in the third round in 2020, and Williams is far more proven than any offensive tackle in the draft. What can’t be forgotten is Williams will want a huge extension (likely $17 million+ per year), and he hasn’t played a full season since 2013, including a full holdout in 2019.

If the price is right, go for it Cleveland. Trade pick No. 74 and sign Williams to a three-year, $50 million deal. Is this risky? Absolutely, but it also shows the organization is trying harder than ever to win now.

The Browns could then easily trade back in the first round of the draft and build depth on defense. The Browns could end up with a later first-round pick and an additional second-round pick to trade back 7-10 spots on Thursday night.

Truthfully, if the ask by Washington for Williams was only pick No. 74, the deal would likely already be done. The Browns have no business risking pick No. 41 on a tackle who hasn’t been on a NFL field in two years, especially when there are four talented tackles in this year’s draft.

The safest bet would be working a “conditions” trade with the Redskins for the 2021 draft. For example – If Williams is active 15+ games, it is a third-round pick, 10+ games is a fourth-round pick and so on. It remains to be seen if the Redskins are open to that type of trade, which is riskier for them.

Again, if this is a bidding war on draft night, don’t look for Berry to get involved as Williams is not worth overcompensating for. The Browns should take the best tackle available at No. 10 (fingers crossed for Andrew Thomas) and Jeremy Chinn at No. 41.