Few expected the Cleveland Browns to be 3–1 after four games. A demoralizing loss to the New York Jets in Week 5 should've been the painful reminder that this team has no business exploring any big moves with the NFL trade deadline fast approaching. The reasoning, while humbling, is sound at the end of the day.
For starters, the Browns have a flawed roster. Despite quarterback Deshaun Watson showing tiny glimpses of magic this season, the idea that he is anything more than a lame-duck quarterback in 2026 is beyond far-fetched. As a reminder, this isn't a rookie player displaying potential worth chasing into the future — Watson is a 31-year-old veteran who remains on the roster only because his contract makes his ouster an impossibility.
Outside of quarterback, the Browns have tantalizing rookies and sophomores at plenty of premier positions, including offensive line, wide receiver, running back, and tight end. On defense, their group is more experienced, but still extremely young. While the group has punched above its weight this season, it just might not be ready for a playoff push quite yet.
That's the obvious part. On a deeper level, that very nucleus is emblematic of why general manager Andrew Berry should be selective if he ventures onto the trade market.
Andrew Berry's recent drafts have silenced doubters, and the Browns can't abandon what's working
When it comes to making trades at the deadline, player-for-player swaps are extremely uncommon. Teams that are in "buying mode" are often exchanging draft picks as currency. While it's important to note that the piece predated the loss to the Jets, Bleacher Report naming the Browns as a team that should be buying at the deadline ignores the heater that Andrew Berry has been on in the past two drafts.
While it's the NFL and anything can happen, it would be extremely unlikely for the Browns to make the Super Bowl this year. Absent that outcome, the focus of the organization should be on continuing to build out this impressive nucleus. The best way to do that is to hold onto draft picks and let Berry cook.
A significant reason Cleveland found itself in dire straits over the last few years was the trade for Deshaun Watson. Not only did Watson fail to meet expectations in every conceivable metric, but the Browns also sold their future in the form of draft picks to the Houston Texans. The Texans were all too happy to cash in on the Browns' misfortune.
In this piece from March, we explored the volume of draft picks used by each franchise. The Browns made the 23rd-most selections from 2020–2025. It's no coincidence that the team deteriorated significantly in that span. Just as things are turning around, Berry and Co. must realize what got them out of purgatory: nailing draft picks.
The future is bright in Cleveland. While pursuing win-now trades may be tempting, doing so would be short-sighted. The Browns are loaded with draft capital for the upcoming draft, including two first-round picks, their own second- and third-round picks, and three fourth-rounders. That treasure trove not only affords Berry plenty of bites at the apple but also preserves flexibility if the organization opts for a bold trade-up for a quarterback.
Now, it's Andrew Berry's job to answer the phone if another team comes calling. If a team is looking to dump a productive or high-potential young player for pennies, Berry should absolutely make the deal. Otherwise, the Browns should be looking to sell off any aging veterans of value and lean fully into the youth movement that's shown so much promise.
Add us as a preferred source on Google