The Cleveland Browns have been on the aggressive side of the trade market over the last two seasons. Could they have names like Brandon Aiyuk or Jonathan Allen in their crosshairs this year?
Salary cap, schmalary cap.
While the Browns sit $19 million in the red, they will easily clear enough cap space to once again have an aggressive offseason. And after landing wide receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end Za’Darius Smith on the trade market over the past two seasons, general manager Andrew Berry has proven to be aggressive in pursuit of upgrading his roster.
And that will not change when the new league year arrives this year either.
Could the Browns take another big swing this offseason with a team floating a top-tier proven veteran on the trade market? Here are six prime candidates for the Browns to take that swing on this offseason as they look to prolong their competitive window for as long as possible.
DT Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders
After another losing season in Washington, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen had some not-so-kind things to say about the state of things within the organization that is set for another rebuild. And while they are under new ownership, and they have a new head coach in Dan Quinn, it seems like Allen would prefer a fresh start elsewhere.
Want to know a defensive coordinator who would get the most out of a violent pass rusher like Allen? Jim Schwartz.
Still just 29 years old, Allen still has two years left on his deal with a base salary of just $14 million this year, and $15.5 million next year. These are super palatable numbers for the cap-savvy Browns to digest, as this would pair him with Dalvin Tomlinson for the total price that Chris Jones is looking for this offseason.
Given his production, age, and how much of his career is ahead of him, Allen would take more capital to acquire than Smith or Cooper did. However, Berry has traded out of the second round over the past two drafts, and Allen would be well worth the price if he wanted to do it again with the rebuilding Commanders.
EDGE Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
The books are beyond cooked for the Los Angeles Chargers as they enter a new era. Former general manager Tom Telesco did them no favors in the way he structured contracts or the way he irresponsibly spent money. As a result, new general manager Joe Hortiz is likely going to have to trade aging veterans and just eat the dead cap that comes with it.
Khalil Mack is at the top of that list. While the Chargers would have to eat a healthy amount of dead money to move him, they would save over $23 million against the cap in 2024 as a result.
With Za’Darius Smith set to hit the market with no guarantees that he is coming back to Cleveland, the Browns could find another proven veteran to succeed him opposite Myles Garrett. Mack is still highly productive even if he is on the other side of 30, and would not cost more than a Day 3 pick to bring him on board.
If you are looking for the player most similar to the Cooper or Smith-type trade candidate, it’s Mack.
S Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
With Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill already under contract and with insignificant cap hits in 2024, the Browns could add a top-of-the-market safety with one year left on his deal in Budda Baker.
The Cardinals are not going to be competitive, even with a fully healthy Kyler Murray, in 2024. Baker requested a trade a year ago before returning to the Cardinals, but he could be dealt this offseason.
With Rodney McLeod likely near the end of his career, especially after a season-ending injury late in 2023, the Browns may not want to rush undrafted player Ronnie Hickman onto the field this season. If that is the case, Baker would be a low-cost (likely the same compensation that it took to acquire Cooper or Smith) option to give Hickman another year before taking over as that third safety for Schwartz.
DT Grady Jarrett, Atlanta Falcons
A new regime, his third defensive coordinator in three years, and playing for a team that is once again in the market for another quarterback. There are plenty of reasons to believe the Atlanta Falcons could be in a teardown.
Trading away veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett may just find his name on the trade block as a result. The Browns will be looking to rebuild their defensive tackle room, and Jarrett’s $15.2 million base salary over the next two seasons is not an unbelievable number to stomach.
Pairing him with Tomlinson would give the Browns quite a formidable duo along the interior. Coming off of a year where he suffered a season-ending ACL injury eight weeks into the year, the price tag on Jarrett may be a bit cheaper than initially imagined.
EDGE Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
This one comes with a caveat.
The Eagles won’t trade him until after June 1 given his contract structure, and the Browns have typically made their big trades before then. However, with Smith hitting free agency, the Browns may be looking for another big defensive end to add in case Alex Wright is not ready.
Reddick wants a new deal and the Eagles cannot afford it. They are looking to trade him as a result. Given his age and the need for a new deal, a Reddick swap could be in the same territory as the Smith, Cooper range in terms of draft capital it would take to acquire him.
Oh, and Berry has a great relationship with the Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman.
The one question, however, is whether or not the Browns feel like Reddick has the prowess to play opposite Myles Garrett on every down and not as just a designated pass rusher. If they don’t, then a trade-and-extension is not in the cards for the Browns here.
WR Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
The price of this one would be steep. But adding a top-five receiver in the NFL this past season despite playing in the offense that threw the ball the very least would be well worth the price.
Brandon Aiyuk is disgruntled in San Francisco, is entering a contract year, and has a tradeable contract. He is coming off of a season where he was named as an All-Pro honorable mention, is one of the elite route runners in the NFL, and finds ways to win in the air and down the field as well.
This is a stretch for many reasons, beginning with the need to pay him top-of-the-market money as soon as he is acquired. However, opportunities to land young receivers in their prime do not become available often. It would take a haul, including at least one first round pick, but it would be well worth the cost for the Browns.
