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Cleveland Browns: 3 trade targets to fine-tune offense before 2021 deadline

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 3, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Josh Reynolds (18) pulls in a catch against New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) that was ruled out of bounds during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Josh Reynolds (18) pulls in a catch against New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26) that was ruled out of bounds during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, N.J. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 05: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints in action during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 05, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Browns trade target No. 1: Michael Thomas, WR

We have all heard the talk about Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham, Jr. Now in year three of the OBJ experiment, we are still waiting for these two to figure it out. But eventually, we have to ask if it’s just not meant to be.

That’s not a knock on either player. Both Beckham and Mayfield have proven they can get it done in the NFL. They’ve also shown that they have a real hard time getting it done consistently — together.

That’s why we look at another wide receiver as a potential trade target, but this time instead of a committee player such as Josh Reynolds, it’s Michael Thomas. A legit No. 1 wideout, Thomas missed nine games in 2020 and has yet to play in 2021 after having ankle surgery in the offseason.

When he was last healthy for a full season, all he did was catch 149 passes for 1,725 yards with nine touchdowns. In fact, that was his fourth season in a row with more than 1,000-yards and his third with at least 100 receptions.

Since we haven’t heard from Thomas in a while, it’s easy to forget how dominant he was for New Orleans from his rookie season of 2016 through 2019. And once he’s healthy, he should be back to that same form, although it might be with another club.

dark. Next. 3 trade targets to perfect Browns defense in 2021

It’s been no secret that Thomas and the Saints brass haven’t seen eye to eye since last season and his name has been floated in trade rumors for more than a year. Cleveland would have to give up a lot — and probably one of their starting receivers — but it would be hard to argue that they’re not getting a potential All-Pro if they did land Thomas.

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