Behind star receivers Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones sit a couple of somewhat notable names, such as David Bell and Marquis Goodwin. However, after that, there are fewer and fewer standouts to make up the Browns’ receiving corps, and this primes the position for an upgrade.
Simply put, if the team wants some success this year, they may have to beef up the weapons around Watson.
Although it’s fairly late in the offseason, it is never without relevance to discuss potential trade options. And while there are other positions that could be addressed, starting the conversation with a pair of wideouts feels like the best way to approach the top three potential trade options for the Cleveland Browns.
Potential Trade Option 1: WR Quez Watkins
Eagles WR Quez Watkins (16) – Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
Quez Watkins, AKA “Fast Batman,” might not be the sexiest name for Browns fans to hear amid trade talks. After all, Watkins was underwhelming behind AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith last year. Mentions of his failure to produce and inconsistent hands have dominated the conversation around him in Philadelphia, but it hardly feels appropriate to give up on the wideout just yet.
Watkins is a respectable receiver with tremendous speed, and given a little time and the right system, he could find himself as a serious threat to opposing defenses.
When a player fails to stand out immediately, it’s easy to brush them off. Nevertheless, Watkins shows all the right signs of a solid pass-catcher, and it’s likely he could fit the scheme well in Cleveland if given the opportunity.
Potential Trade Option 2: WR Jerry Jeudy
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (10) – Michael Owens/Getty Images
While playing the same position as Watkins, the idea of this acquisition is certainly more attractive to Browns fans. This is not because Jeudy has been an unrelenting touchdown machine thus far in Denver but because he has absolutely shown such potential.
Despite the debacle between Nathanial Hackett’s short-lived tenure as HC and Russell Wilson’s first year with the Broncos, Jeudy managed to haul in a career-high 67 receptions for nearly 1,000 yards and six touchdowns in 2022.
Of course, it’s easy to get lost in imagining just how dynamic the Browns’ offense could be with Jeudy as a solid number two or number three receiver alongside Cooper, with Watson throwing them the ball. However, is the move reasonable?
Well, due to the fact that he has a salary cap number of $4.83 million with a base salary of $2.68 million, the move actually makes a lot of sense. With more than $7 million in cap space currently, the Browns have the room to make the trade, but exactly what GM Andrew Berry wants to part with to make it happen is anybody’s guess.
Potential Trade Option 3: RB Cordarrelle Patterson
Falcons WR Cordarrelle Patterson (84) – Danny Karnik/AP Photos
Look, we have to be realistic. And although we talked about bringing Zeke here via free agency in a previous article, that move is likely not going to happen. Along similar lines, moves to bring in veteran Dalvin Cook are probably not going to be made either, especially since we have to consider the wants and needs of a player like Cook, who has expressed interest in warmer climates like Miami. Still, the Browns could use some steady depth at running back, but why Patterson?
The answer is simple: Patterson is an exceptional talent with incredible speed and agility who can do nearly anything that is asked of him.
With a career total of 464 rushes for 2,330 yards and 22 touchdowns, Patterson has tacked on 289 receptions for 2,757 yards and 15 TDs through the air. Needless to say, a trade for his services is nothing to sneeze at, and the move makes a lot more sense considering his age and price tag.
The Future is Bright
Regardless of exactly which moves Berry and the Browns decide to make, be they in free agency or via trade, it’s safe to say that the team is building for the future. Any move at WR, RB, or even LB could be considered a luxury, barring injury, of course. In the meantime, here’s to hoping that Stefanski, Van Pelt, and Schwartz have all the pieces they need to make a serious impact on the league in 2023!
