5 Players Browns Could Target At Trade Deadline

We’re exactly five days away from the NFL trade deadline, and despite having big contracts littered throughout the roster and no first-round pick in next year’s draft, the Cleveland Browns have the ammunition necessary to be big players.

Cleveland has $34 million available in cap space, although much of that will be needed next season so the Browns can afford Deshaun Watson and the heavy investments general manager Andrew Berry has made at offensive line and on defense.

Still, the Browns should be able to swing a deal for one of the top players on the market, if they choose. With looming uncertainty about Watson’s shoulder injury and ability to stay consistent when he is healthy, the Browns should seriously consider roster upgrades to ensure they don’t lose their grip on a playoff run.

Here are some players they could target as the deadline approaches on Halloween:

RB Derrick Henry

A lot of teams would love to have the services of Henry even though his efficiency has tailed off this season — he’s averaging 4.2 yards per carry, which is his lowest mark since 2021 when he only played eight games. He hasn’t averaged over five yards per carry since 2019.

He might not be the back he once was, but the Browns could use Henry after the uneven production they’ve seen from the run department since Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2. They’ve averaged only 3.9 yards per carry since then, so Henry could still be an upgrade.

DL Denico Autry

Autry is having an excellent season with four sacks, and the Titans could be looking to unload more of their top defensive players after trading S Kevin Byard to the Eagles. The Browns have built a beast of a defense already, but that shouldn’t sway them away from pursuing more upgrades, which Autry would certainly provide.

The best reason for Autry to join the Browns, though, could be because of his familiarity with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who was a defensive assistant with the Titans in 2021-22. Autry had 17 combined sacks in those two seasons and can still play at a high level anywhere in the defensive line even though he’s 33 years old.

WR Jerry Jeudy

The Browns believed they were entering the season with a deep receiver group, but Amari Cooper has been the only pass catcher with consistent production so far. Elijah Moore and Donovan Peoples-Jones have yet to score touchdowns, and rookie third-rounder Cedric Tillman has caught just one pass all year.

The Browns need another playmaker in their pass game, and Jeudy appears to be one of the top receivers with a chance to be dealt by next Tuesday. His potential has never emerged for a full season in Denver, but working in a new offense could give him a lift.

The Browns would be wise to check on his price. It could be steep given that Jeudy has another year left on his contract, but the Browns shouldn’t bank on Cooper being their only reliable receiver for the next two seasons.

RB D’Ernest Johnson

If the Browns are looking for a cheaper but still effective lift to their run game, Johnson could provide it. He hasn’t been asked to do much with the Jaguars this season after signing with them in free agency, but that’s because they’ve been giving Travis Etienne Jr. and rookie Tank Bigsby the bulk of the work.

Johnson has averaged 5.2 yards per carry over his career and wouldn’t need much time to settle back into the playbook in Cleveland, where he spent the last four seasons. He could take over kick return duties as well, but his main priority would be to provide a spark to a Browns’ run game that might need more than what Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt have produced since Chubb went down.

QB Jacoby Brissett

This has been perhaps the most discussed trade possibility for the Browns since Watson exited Sunday’s win over the Colts after he aggravated his shoulder injury, and it’s an idea Cleveland should consider.

The Browns, in all likelihood, will not be able to continue winning games with P.J. Walker at QB. Yes, he’s orchestrated two game-winning drives, but he did not complete a pass on the drive against the 49ers. His drive against the Colts was better and featured three big completions, but it was kept alive by questionable penalty calls and shouldn’t have instilled a significant amount of confidence that Walker can continue as the backup.

The Browns need someone better. What happens if Deshaun Watson has to miss any more games beyond Week 8? Can Walker — who has thrown zero touchdowns and three interceptions and has averaged 4.7 yards per play — really be trusted to continue leading the offense?

Brissett proved with the Browns last year he can keep things afloat, and he would need little time to adjust to the offense and establish instant chemistry with receivers. He also likely wouldn’t cost the Browns much if the Commanders are willing to part with him.