Cleveland Browns named Brandin Cooks trade destination

Should the Cleveland Browns trade for a wide receiver? One reporter thinks it’s a great idea not only for now but building for the future.

With the Cleveland Browns in a bit of a rut, a trade could certainly be something to help rejuvenate the team. Not only do they still have some cap space, but they also have a lot of assets that could make them a big-time player in the trade market before the November 2nd deadline.

Brad Spielberger of PFF suggests that Brandin Cooks could be the perfect trade for the Cleveland Browns. Because of where the Texans are in their season, the price would also be discounted with a 2022 second-rounder and 2023 fifth-rounder being the projected pieces.

Why does this work for the Browns?

Cook is a veteran receiver who is the vertical threat the team needs. Why do the Browns need another wide receiver you ask? Well, both Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry will be prime targets as cap casualties next year. Either could be cut and save the team over $15 million in cap space.

If the Browns took on Cooks, they would be tying up nearly $15.5 million over two years. Yes, you did the math correctly, that’s half the cost of either Beckham or Landry.

So, on one side, you would have an extremely crowded wide receiver room for the remainder of 2021. If Beckham and Landry both remain healthy, you would have three high-profile wide receivers with guys like Donovan Peoples-Jones and Rashard Higgins getting very few snaps. But on the flip side, you are preparing your team for life after Beckham and Landry.

I personally love the idea of this move. It certainly creates some drama for 2021, but it puts your team in the position to draft the best available player in 2022 with very few immediate needs.

Cooks, DPJ, and Higgins (assuming you resign) would be a fantastic receiving corp. that has it all. Size in DPJ, speed in Cooks, and a guy that can find the zone in Higgins.

A lot of people may hate this, but dare I say it makes a ton of sense.