The 2023 NFL trade deadline has officially passed and while the Cleveland Browns did make a move, they weren't one of the teams who added anyone for a potential playoff push. Instead, they sent Donovan Peoples-Jones to the Detroit Lions for a late-round pick in 2025.
This wasn't a surprising move, considering DPJ hadn't delivered much this season after a promising start to his career. He now gets a fresh start and the Browns can try and figure out who should be their No. 3 receiver after Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore.
What is surprising, however, is that a team supposedly in "win-now" mode didn't add anyone. With that being the case, here are three players who they might regret not bringing to The Land.
3. Hunter Renfrow, Wide Receiver
After deciding to trade Peoples-Jones, the Browns were expected to target another wideout. Instead, they stayed silent and apparently didn't make any attempted moves for receiver help. That's a bit confusing since reports suggested they would and one player who could have really helped was on the block — Hunter Renfrow.
The former Clemson product, who spent two years with Deshaun Watson, hasn't been in the plans for the Las Vegas Raiders at all this year. Renfrow was very nearly reunited with Derek Carr as the New Orleans Saints tried to make a move but in the end, he's stuck in Vegas with Josh McDaniels and his sinking ship.
In Cleveland, he would have been a solid third option — especially as a third-down receiver in the slot.
Renfrow is in the final season of a two-year extension, which he signed after going for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns on 103 receptions. So far in 2023, he has just 10 catches for 92 yards. He clearly needs a change of scenery — as did DPJ — and could have helped an offense that has seen too many drives stall out.
2. Case Keenum, Quarterback
There were rumors the Browns were interested in bringing Jacoby Brissett back and those started to heat up on Tuesday. Mary Kay Cabot was even saying it was a possibility but in the end, they didn't add Brissett‚ or even Josh Dobbs who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings.
This was understandable since they already sent Dobbs away this year and Washington was apparently asking for far too much compensation in exchange for Brissett. But that doesn't mean there weren't other options — and those should have been explored.
Cleveland continues to insist Deshaun Watson will return soon but they've said that for a month now. And every week, he's on the sideline and P.J. Walker is on the field. They're 2-1 when Walker takes the majority of the snaps but he's also had a huge problem with turnovers, which is what ultimately cost them the game against Seattle.
It's become such an issue that the Browns are now considering starting Dorian Thompson-Robinson who really struggled in Week 4 against the Ravens.
With all that being said, they should have tried to land someone else and a player such as Case Keenum would have made a lot of sense. He spent two seasons in Cleveland and three total under Kevin Stefanski. He's currently third on the depth chart in Houston, so it's not crazy to think he would have been available. And he would have been able to get up to speed in a hurry.
Sure, they might get Watson back and it will be a moot point. But if he misses any more time, they could be in a lot of trouble.
1. Chase Young, EDGE
As the 4:00 P.M. EST deadline quickly approached, the Browns were said to have been internally discussing a big move, which would have been to add Chase Young.
The former Ohio State standout was on the block as the Washington Commanders were looking to unload him since his contract was expiring. They were also shipping off Montez Sweat, who joined the Chicago Bears in exchange for a second-round pick and after he was gone, Young quickly followed.
His departure wasn't surprising at all but the destination and compensation were. Young, a former NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, netted just a third-round pick from the San Francisco 49ers. He now joins Nick Bosa, giving San Francisco two former Buckeyes to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.
There will be those who point out the injury concerns Young has had, which is fair. He did appear in just 12 games in 2021 and 2022 but has been healthy this year. He's played in all seven games and has five sacks. That's double the amount Ogbo Okoronkwo has, who is second on Cleveland behind Myles Garrett.
Assuming Young stays healthy, he will be well worth the third-round pick — especially for Cleveland, who might have finally been able to end their search for a second pass rusher across from Garrett.
It might have been a risk but it's a risk that a team intent on winning now should have been willing to make.