Cleveland Browns: 3 trade targets in event of a Texans fire sale

1. J.J. Watt, DL

J.J. Watt may no longer be the game-wrecking force he was in his prime, but he’s still one of the NFL’s best defensive lineman, whether he’s playing inside or on the edge. The Browns don’t currently have a starting EDGE for 2021, and the defensive tackle spot is up in the air as well. Watt is one of the most consistently double-teamed linemen in the league. So is Myles Garrett. Having both rushing on the same play would be a classic case of “pick your poison” for the offense.

Watt will turn 32 on the first of February and has missed 32 games over the past five years. He’ll also be in the final year of his contract, and will earn a $17.5 million base salary. But that number could easily plummet with a restructure; the Browns have a legitimate Super Bowl window over the next few seasons, and Watt wants to win. He would probably be willing to take a lower salary in a two to three-year extension, which would of course benefit Cleveland as well.

Cleveland would be able to move Watt around on the defensive line, exploiting weaknesses and giving Garrett the one-on-one reps that he dominates on. With one more starter-level addition on the DL, Cleveland might have the best group in the NFL, and the days of Garrett having no pass-rushing help would be over.

If there’s one team in the league that will investigate every opportunity to improve, it’s the Browns. If the Texans begin selling off players to rebuild, you can bet that general manager Andrew Berry will do his due diligence.