3 Players Cleveland Browns should consider trading up for

The Cleveland Browns own the 26th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. They could get some talent there, but who might they try and trade up to acquire?

It feels weird but the Cleveland Browns will not be picking in the top-10 in the upcoming NFL Draft. Following years of premium picks (due to poor records) Cleveland is finally at the back end of the draft thanks to an 11-5 record and a 1-1 mark in the postseason.

The good news is, that means they already have a talented roster so they won’t be as desperate for an impact player as they have been in the past. It also doesn’t mean they won’t land a player who can push them over the top — especially if they’re open to the idea of packaging picks and trading up.

Here we identify three players who would be great fits on the Browns roster but in order to land them, they would likely need to make a trade up.

3. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

Cleveland has some depth concerns on the defensive line and those will only be compounded this offseason with two of their four starters hitting the open market. Olivier Vernon and Larry Ogunjobi are both free agents. There’s also a belief that Sheldon Richardson could become a cap casualty which would really shake things up.

Even if Richardson is left alone, the Browns need to add some talent to their line — especially at the defensive end spot. Sure, they have Myles Garrett on one side and he’s a legit NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate. However, they would be leaning heavily on Adrian Clayborn and Porter Gustin (assuming he comes back as a restricted free agent).

For that reason, the Browns will likely be in the market for a new defensive end and if they don’t get one in free agency, they might consider moving up for Kwity Payre from Michigan. One of the best overall edge players in the class, Paye is an ascending prospect who is still getting better, and that’s scary considering the fact that he’s already a very well-rounded player.