Cleveland Browns: 3 trade targets to perfect their defense in 2021
By Randy Gurzi
![Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) defends a third down pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Breshad Perriman (19) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 18, 2020. [ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fhttps-3A-2F-2Fdawgpounddaily-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F15086261-850x560-68e8421a55d8e21868ee130b53e37c980683c1435a661202f7cae2e557df760c.jpg "Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones (24) defends a third down pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Breshad Perriman (19) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 18, 2020. [ALLEN EYESTONE/The Palm Beach Post]")
The 2021 NFL trade deadline will be here before long and we look ahead to three defenders who can improve the Cleveland Browns chances of winning the AFC North
This past Sunday was a rough one for the Cleveland Browns. After two weeks in a row of great defense, the Browns surrendered 47 points to the Los Angeles Chargers — including 26 in the fourth quarter.
It was a disheartening loss and while we can chalk it up to the fact that Jadeveon Clowney and Greg Newsome missed the game, and Denzel Ward was lost in the first quarter, it still showed that there are holes in the Cleveland defense that need to be addressed.
Here, we look at three players who the Browns could add via trade to try and improve their defense, starting with some help for the interior of their line.
Cleveland Browns defensive trade target No. 3: Michael Brockers, DT
This offseason, the Los Angeles Rams traded away Michael Brockers in a cost-saving move. They sent him to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a seventh-round pick and Detroit then signed him to a three-year extension worth $24 million.
So far in 2021, Brockers has 14 tackles and one sack but he’s also playing a position in the Lions 3-4 defense where much of his job is to eat up blocks. WHen allowed to attack more, he can be a problem — evidenced by his 51 tackles and five sacks in 2020 with the Rams.
Perhaps a change of scenery would help him, and we all know he can’t be thrilled being on the winless Lions. As for the Browns, they could use a player of his caliber in the middle of their line helping Myles Garrett and the defensive line take the next step.