These Three Cleveland Browns Could Be Traded in 2022

The Cleveland Browns have had an active offseason, to say the least. 

GM Andrew Berry went all in to acquire Deshaun Watson and also sacrificed some draft picks for Amari Cooper. Cleveland also said goodbye to proven vets like Jarvis Landry, Austin Hooper, JC Tretter and Malik Jackson.

There’s still a possibility for Berry to add more players to this playoff-caliber roster. But there’s a good chance a few current Browns could be on the way out over the next several weeks or even months.

Here are three Browns who might be shipped out of The Land either before the season or in the fall.

QB Baker Mayfield

One could argue it’s surprising to see Baker Mayfield still wearing a Browns uniform. But even though a trade during draft weekend never materialized, don’t expect the 2018 first-overall pick to be in town for much longer.

Mayfield had an uneven 2021 campaign thanks in large part to a lingering shoulder injury. His lack of growth ultimately forced Cleveland to mortgage its future on Watson, meaning Baker’s tenure as the starter was effectively over.

However, trading Mayfield isn’t as clear cut as it may seem. With an $18.8 million cap hit, teams aren’t exactly rushing to the phone to inquire about the fifth-year vet. Not to mention, the NFL’s ruling on Watson may ultimately lead to Cleveland holding onto Mayfield for one more season instead of handing the reins to back Jacoby Brissett.

The Browns have wanted to trade Mayfield since acquiring Watson in March. Whether a trade happens in the next few weeks, during training camp, or even during the season is the question.

CB Greedy Williams

The Browns have long-term security in the cornerback room. Former first-rounders Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II each have multiple years left on their contract, while third-round rookie Martin Emerson is just starting his career. That leaves Greedy Williams on the outside looking in.

Cleveland’s second-round pick in 2019 has underwhelmed. After suffering a nerve injury to his shoulder that wiped out his entire 2020 season, Williams bounced back last year with two interceptions in 16 games. However, he only started in eight of those contests and took 56 percent of Cleveland’s defensive snaps.

Based on Cleveland's depth chart, Williams isn’t more than a depth corner. Yet with a rookie contract that expires after the season, it’s likely the 24-year-old will look for a larger deal next offseason from a team willing to make him a starter.

Cleveland would rather get something for Williams than lose him for nothing, so trading him is a possible course of action. Especially if the Browns find themselves out of playoff contention early in the season due to a lengthy Watson suspension.

DT Jordan Elliott

Part of Cleveland’s active offseason meant saying goodbye to Malik Jackson and Malik McDowell. With both of their starting defensive tackles gone, this opened up a chance for several DTs to earn a starting gig, including third-year vet Jordan Elliott.

However, depending of how training camp shakes out, Elliott could be cleared out to make room for the newcomers.

The Browns added a few new names to their defensive line this offseason. First, they signed Taven Bryan to a one year, $3.9 million pact. They also drafted Oklahoma rookie Perrion Winfrey in the fourth round and signed LSU’s Glen Logan after the draft. That’s also not including Tommy Togiai, Cleveland’s fourth-round pick in 2021.

While Elliott has appeared in 32 games over two years, he’s yet to show signs of breaking out. The second-round pick in 2020 has just four career starts with 0.5 sacks and no tackles for loss. He also saw just 44% of defensive snaps in 2021.

There’s a chance for one of the younger players to upend Elliott during camp. But if Cleveland adds a veteran defensive tackle — a move many expect between now and Week 1 — he’ll almost certainly be the odd man out.

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