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4 players Cleveland Browns were right to move on from in 2022

By Eddie McDonald

Sep 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and tight end Austin Hooper (81) and wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) celebrate a touchdown during the first half against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and tight end Austin Hooper (81) and wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) celebrate a touchdown during the first half against the Chicago Bears at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Browns
Sep 19, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) scores a touchdown over the defense of Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill (23) during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

Player the Cleveland Browns were smart to move on from No. 3

Troy Hill

When Andrew Berry drafted cornerback Martin Emerson with the team’s first pick – in the third round – it raised some eyebrows as that was not an area of need. Fast forward a day later and it all made more sense as Berry traded Troy Hill to the Rams, the team he came from in free agency last year.

The Browns got a 2023 fifth-round pick in return for Hill, who was entering the final year of his two-year, $9 million deal. Hill felt disrespected by the deal, not because he was traded, but simply for the value, the Browns got in return.

The year before Hill signed with the Browns, he was the highest-graded slot corner in the NFL, according to PFF. In 2021, he was anything but that. In fact, he was the lowest-rated corner. That’s, well, not good.

In 12 games with Cleveland, Hill allowed receivers to catch 31-of-42-passes (73.8%), 11.2 yards per reception, and four touchdowns. He compiled 49 tackles (34 solo, seven for loss), two sacks, and a lone pass deflection.

The trade makes a ton of sense from the perspective of the Browns as they got a draft pick – something Berry highly covets – for a player who underperformed and would be a free agent after the season. So instead of the Browns getting nothing in return, they got something, while also having drafted another cornerback to replace Hill.

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