Browns Shake Things Up: $100 Million Defender Heads to NFC in Bold Trade Move

Browns Shake Things Up: $100 Million Defender Heads to NFC in Bold Trade Move

The Cleveland Browns are seen as likely sellers at the trade deadline following a disappointing 1-6 start. They could free up significant salary cap space and gain valuable draft picks if they decide to trade some of their higher-profile players.

 

 

 

After trading wide receiver Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills and losing quarterback Deshaun Watson to a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, it seems the offense might be a prime target for trades.

 

 

 

However, it’s their defense that has several players who could attract interest from contending teams, notably three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, who is under a $100.5 million contract.

 

 

 

On October 22, Bradley Locker from Pro Football Focus made a case for trading Ward to the emerging Washington Commanders. While Ward hasn’t had a standout 2024 season, with an overall grade of 72.2, he has struggled with missed tackles, ranking ninth among qualified cornerbacks with a 23.7% miss rate. Still, his coverage skills remain strong, as he has a 76.0 coverage grade over the past four seasons and has forced 45 incompletions—seventh-most among qualified corners during that time.

 

 

 

 

Despite their 5-2 record, the Commanders are in urgent need of defensive and secondary reinforcements. If they’re looking to bolster their defense in Dan Quinn’s first year, reaching out to Cleveland about Ward (or Greg Newsome II) could be a sensible move.

Browns Roster Needs to Become More Cost-Effective; Trading Denzel Ward Could Assist

The Browns had the top defense in the league last season based on yardage allowed but have fallen to 13th in that category after seven games in 2024. They also rank 26th in total takeaways, forcing just five turnovers this year.

 

 

 

 

 

This inability to stop opponents effectively and create pivotal defensive plays has led to a lackluster unit that struggles to support a struggling offense. Currently, the Browns are last in the league for offensive production, averaging only 253.9 yards per game.

 

 

 

 

Looking ahead, Cleveland will face significant salary cap challenges for at least the next two years, with Deshaun Watson accounting for $73 million in cap space in both 2025 and 2026. Therefore, while they won’t want to drastically weaken their defense, as it may be their only defense against becoming a perennial bottom-dweller, they still need to cut costs across the roster and acquire draft picks. This strategy will help them build a younger, more affordable team through the draft.

 

 

 

 

Browns Have Two Strong Cornerbacks on Rookie Contracts: Martin Emerson and Cameron Mitchell

Ward’s contract extends through 2027, with cap hits ranging from $24.6 million to $30.5 million over the next three years.

The team selected cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. in the third round of the 2022 draft, and he still has two years left on his affordable $5.5 million rookie deal. While Emerson may not match Ward’s level of play, his lower cost offers significant value, and he can step in on the outside if the Browns decide to part ways with Ward for financial reasons.

 

 

 

 

 

Greg Newsome, a former first-round pick, will become a free agent in March, making him a potential trade candidate if the Browns prefer not to commit to a costly long-term contract.

Cleveland also drafted cornerback Cameron Mitchell, who played alongside Newsome at Northwestern, in the fifth round last season. The team might look to promote him alongside Emerson, allowing them to move on from the expensive cornerback duo of Ward and Newsome in the future.