After the Cleveland Browns play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, there will be just one more game to go before the NFL trade deadline arrives. With the Browns and Steelers competing for first place in the AFC North, this Week 8 result could have a lot to do with Cleveland’s plans for how to approach it.
Heading into the season, the Browns were predicted to be sellers, likely looking to move veteran players in an attempt to further their rebuild. But now, off to one of the best starts in franchise history, Cleveland is likely to be buyers instead.
CBS Sports analyst Josh Edwards has named the Browns’ biggest need at the trade deadline, identifying depth at tight end and naming Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles and Tip Reiman of the Arizona Cardinals as potential options.
“Edge rusher and tight end have been the two positions most commonly associated with the Browns. The team is unlikely to over-leverage themselves this season and risk their long-term goals. That said, trades involving players with future control make the most sense. At edge rusher, they have been able to get contributions from free agents off the street, like Sam Williams and Derek Barnett. Although Blake Whiteheart has had some good moments blocking, depth in that area is a greater need,” Edwards wrote.
Edge rusher was thought to be a need for the Browns ever since Alex Wright was lost for the season to an Achilles injury during training camp. But contributions from Williams and Barnett, and a breakout season from Isaiah McGuire, have lessened that issue, even with Jared Verse yet to record a sack.
At tight end, Harold Fannin Jr. remains a focal point of the passing game as one of the best receivers at his position in the league. But Fannin is not much of a blocker, and the absence of a strong player in that area has contributed to struggles in Cleveland’s running game.
With the injury-ravaged Eagles likely abandoning their playoff hopes after losing quarterback Jalen Hurts for the season with blood clots, Goedert would be a high-end acquisition for the Browns. Also known more for his pass-catching than blocking, he is a veteran Super Bowl champion who could also provide guidance during Cleveland’s postseason chase.
At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, Reiman is built more like an offensive lineman and could help the Browns in a major way. Unfortunately, he is still on the reserve/PUP list with an ankle injury, and Arizona head coach Mike LaFleur said this week that he “was not too sure” Reiman will play this season for the rebuilding team.
Cleveland will have some big decisions to make in the days ahead, and its roster could look a bit different for the stretch run.
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