Armed with eight picks and not enough spots on the roster for that many rookies, the Cleveland Browns could look to make a trade — or two — during the 2023 NFL Draft.
While there's an outside chance they could try and send a veteran player in a package in order to move up, a safer bet is that they would look to trade picks alone. With that being the case, Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report had three hypothetical trades Cleveland could make to get back into the second round.
Projected Trade: Cleveland Browns trade picks 74, 111, and 140 to Carolina for the 39th pick
As Tansey says in his piece, the Browns aren't likely to get back into the first round — after that pick was surrendered to the Houston Texans in the Deshaun Watson trade last season. However, they can try and jump back into the second round after sending pick No. 42 to the New York Jets for Elijah Moore and pick 74.
His first projected pick is for Cleveland to send No. 74, 111, and 140 to the Carolina Panthers for the 39th pick.
Would this trade be good for the Browns?
This would be a very interesting move since it would move Cleveland ahead of its original spot in the 2023 NFL Draft. It would also cost just a fourth and fifth-round pick, and they have two of each. This would be ideal since they would still be able to target decent talent at picks 126 and 142 while getting a borderline first-round talent as well.
But as is always the case, the question of worth comes down to who is avaiable.
Players worth making the move for
Cleveland recently met with Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson who would be a great fit and it might take this type of leap to land him. Other potential targets could include a deep-threat wideout such as Jalin Hyatt or an edge rusher with first-round talent that slides — perhaps B.J. Ojulari or Adetomiwa Adebawore.
Projected Trade: Cleveland Browns trade picks 74 and 126 to Detroit Lions for the 48th pick
There are a couple of layers at work here that could make this one come to fruition. John Dorsey is currently with the Detroit Lions but spent three seasons with the Browns. For more than one of those years, he worked with current Cleveland GM Andrew Berry, who was the vice president of player personnel under Dorsey for the end of the 2017 campaign and all of 2018.
With their previous working relationship, there should be a line of communication and Dorsey has always been open to making trades with those he knows. That happened often during his time in Cleveland, including a deal with the Indianapolis Colts who employed Chris Ballard — a former colleague and friend of Dorsey's.
Would this trade be good for the Browns?
Another layer here, is that pick No. 48 would put Cleveland right in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers who have the 49th pick. Perhaps they could be looking at the same prospects and would be able to snatch them away from their rival. Each team can use depth on the EDGE as well as at linebacker and safety, making this a wise move for the Browns.
Players worth making the move for
If Cleveland were interested in adding a pass rusher, Wisconsin's Nick Herbig or Notre Dame's Isaiah Foskey could be valuable additions at this point. Herbig might be more of a stand-up pass rusher but defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz knows how to use any player and Herbig is a magnet for the quarterback. Foskey has a lot of potential as well and set the school record for sacks, beating out Justin Tuck.
If linebacker was the play, Jack Campbell of Iowa or Drew Sanders from Arkansas would be solid additions.
Projected Trade: Cleveland Browns trade picks 74 and 111 to Dallas for the 58th pick
Last year, the Browns and Dallas Cowboys made a huge trade that wound up benefiting Cleveland in a major way. Dallas needed to shed some salary and sent Amari Cooper to the Browns for a fifth-round pick and a swap of sixth-rounders.
Cooper went on to have a fantastic season hauling in 78 passes for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns. Dallas clearly lost this trade but they were the ones who initiated it. And with Andrew Berry being willing to work with them in 2022, the two sides could come together again during the draft.
Would this trade be good for the Browns?
Out of all the hypotheticals, this one would cost the least amount of capital but they would also be near the end of the second round. Still, moving from 74 to 58 could end up being a great move if the right player is on the board.
Players worth making the move for
In need of some depth at safety behind Juan Thornhill and Grant Delpit, Cleveland could look to pull the trigger here for either Antonio Johnson from Texas A&M or Anthony Johnson, Jr. from Iowa State. They might not be full-time starters but the third safety will see the field a lot, making this a wise investment.
Still, the best move would be to find another stud at defensive tackle. If defensive tackle Keeanu Benton from Wisconsin or Mazi Smith from Michigan were on the board, Berry shouldn't blink if this move were available.
A couple of outside-the-box options here could include tight end Darnell Washington from Georgia or Tucker Kraft from South Dakota State. David Njoku is going nowhere and Jordan Akins is there but these players are studs and Washington would be a monster as an extra blocker in the run game.