Cleveland Browns: 5 trade targets in event of an Eagles fire sale

3. EDGE Josh Sweat

Myles Garrett is the best pass-rusher in the NFL when he isn’t hampered by injury or the lingering effects of COVID-19. He should hopefully be good to go in 2021, but the discussion of who will be starting opposite him is complicated. With the way Olivier Vernon had been playing, it seemed imperative to bring him back. Unfortunately, Vernon suffered a ruptured Achilles at the end of the team’s Week 17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That is a very serious injury, especially for a player on the wrong side of 30, and especially when it happens so late in the season. Vernon had played himself into a nice contract, but now his 2021 season is in doubt. Perhaps he’ll be brought back on a cheap deal to let him get healthy again, but he cannot be counted on. That leaves a huge hole at EDGE, with Adrian Clayborn and Porter Gustin as underwhelming replacement options. Curtis Weaver is a wild card with plenty of potential, but he’s also an unknown.

It’s likely the Browns will sink some significant capital into the position this offseason, but if the Eagles don’t see themselves re-signing Sweat, he could be a nice rotational rusher in 2021 who could also be a long-term piece. A 2018 fourth-round pick, Sweat is finally beginning to realize his elite athletic potential, logging 11 sacks over the past two seasons in a backup role.