With the new league year kicking off on March 12, NFL teams are already deep into planning for the offseason.
Here are five moves the Cleveland Browns should make in the coming months:
1. Trade edge Myles Garrett
Shipping off arguably the most dominant defensive force in the NFL won’t be easy for the Browns, but they almost have no choice. This roster is in no position to compete for an AFC North title, and Garrett could decide to sit out games next season if his trade request isn’t granted.
Cleveland’s best path would be to honor the request and stockpile as many high draft picks as possible. The Browns are facing a lengthy, complex rebuild that starts with trading Garrett.
2. Trade CB Denzel Ward
The Browns need to focus on stacking up assets to rebuild this roster from the ground up. In addition to trading Garrett, another way to accomplish that would be to trade Ward while his value is still high.
Ward is a great player, but a one-star cornerback isn’t doing much to help Cleveland as it is currently constructed. He also has cap hits of $24.5 million, $30.5 million and 27.1 million in the next three years, so getting him off the books now would free up a ton of much-needed space.
3. Draft edge Abdul Carter
This one seems obvious, right? If the Browns aren’t convinced their franchise quarterback is in this draft class, they must replace Garrett with the next best thing.
Carter (6-foot-3, 252 pounds) is the ideal replacement for Garrett because he’s an explosive athlete who could quickly develop into one of the most destructive pass rushers in the NFL. It’s important for rebuilding teams to acquire blue-chip talent on cheap, rookie contracts, and Carter would be a valuable piece to build this defense around.
4. Sign QB Daniel Jones
The Browns have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL by a wide margin. Deshaun Watson is under contract for two more years and likely won’t be able to play in 2025, so Cleveland needs a one-year rental with some upside. Why not give Daniel Jones a shot?
We’ve seen players like Baker Mayfield resurrect their careers with new teams and new coaches. Jones is a perfect fit for head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense due to his dual-threat ability. Either he plays well and gives the Browns a legitimate option moving forward, or he flames out and Cleveland can tank for a quarterback next year. Either way, it’s a win-win.
5. Re-sign RB Nick Chubb
There aren’t many good vibes circulating the fan base, so the Browns can only please the Dawg Pound by bringing back a fan-favorite player. Chubb has been with the Browns his entire career, and his loyalty should be rewarded as long as he wants to return to Cleveland.
