Dawgs By Nature
If rumors are true, the Browns just might be sellers at the NFL trade deadline
The NFL trade deadline fast approaches. The Cleveland Browns have been linked to being huge sellers and ditching not only good athletes but players with large contracts. The deadline is November 5th at 4:00 PM Eastern.
RELATED: 3 STARTERS THAT COULD BE ON THE MOVE
The most prominent name rumored with the Browns is DE Za’Darius Smith, age 32. He is currently on a two-year extension that has a cap hit this year at $5.235 million this season and $9.433 million in 2025.
That is peanuts for a stud pass-rushing EDGE rusher.
Despite starting every game this year, he is rumored to be on the trade block within a week. It will be interesting how the outcome of Week 9 impacts Cleveland’s plans.
ZDS came to the Browns known for his ability to sack quarterbacks. He had 13.5 sacks in 2019, 12.5 in 2020, 10.0 for the 2022 season, and 8.5 in 2018. With Cleveland last year, he netted 5.5 sacks. Not exactly what the defense was looking for with his reputation.
Still, DC Jim Schwartz loves this guy and wanted him back - thus the extension.
His stats this year include 22 total tackles, one missed tackle, nine pressures, five sacks, one knockdown, three hurries, six QB hits, and five tackles for loss. Nothing to write Grandma about, but consistent numbers. He is decent against the run and last year his stats increased as the games on the calendar fell off.
In order to move ZDS, the Browns must have a replacement. That man is Ogbo Okoronkwo. He is just 29 years old with good speed coming off the edge. Cleveland believes a combination of Ogbo and the youngster Isaiah McGuire can replace the aging ZDS and get the same numbers for a lot less coin.
Ogbo signed a three-year deal worth $19 million with an average salary of $6.33 million per season while McGuire is still on his rookie deal on a four-year contract for $4.55 million and a base salary of $915,000.
Several NFL clubs have inquired about the services of both DE Myles Garrett and ZDS. The Atlanta Falcons appear to be the most aggressive, but the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders have a lot of interest. All three teams have issues getting to the quarterback and each one has emphasized that ZDS still has excellent skills in this department.
The Browns rumored to be “sellers” came about when GM Andrew Berry shipped off their top receiver Amari Cooper and his five Pro Bowls to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for third and seventh-round draft picks. A sixth-round pick went back with Cooper as well. At the time, Cleveland was floundering mightily with a 1-5-0 record.
After the Browns hit the 1-6-0 mark, more conversations were being had about the franchise ditching a lot of their starters for draft capital in what would be assumed to be a total rebuild.
Jeremy...
