Trade deadline grades usually reward the teams that make the most noise. Contenders that go all in get praised for their aggression, while rebuilding teams that sell off veterans get credit for planning ahead. Teams that do nothing tend to land somewhere in the middle. That is where the Browns ended up, although one analyst believes they missed a chance to move safety Ronnie Hickman, receiver Jerry Jeudy and even quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Bradley Locker of PFF gave the Browns a B- for their quiet deadline.
“The Browns neither added nor subtracted before Tuesday’s deadline, which mostly makes sense given the team’s 5-4 record but generally poor outlook as a contender throughout the rest of 2026. However, Cleveland would have been shrewd to try to notch picks for underperforming players who aren’t on long-term contracts, including safety Ronnie Hickman and receiver Jerry Jeudy. Even attempting to move Deshaun Watson would have been a success given his performance and the chance to evaluate younger passers on the roster,” Locker wrote.
Locker backed his argument with PFF’s grades. Hickman has a 48.1 coverage grade this season, Jeudy has a 60.8 receiving grade and Watson has a 54.0 passing grade. None of those numbers match what the Browns need from starters at those positions.
Hickman is the least discussed of the 3. The safety has been on the field nearly every snap, including 74 of 75 in New Orleans, but his coverage numbers have lagged. He also missed practice Wednesday with a concussion, which could leave the Browns thin in the secondary against the Houston Texans.
Jeudy was the name most expected to move. His production has dropped sharply since his Pro Bowl season in 2024, and the arrival of rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion has pushed him down the depth chart. PFF’s Gordon McGuinness had suggested a Day 3 pick for him, but the Browns kept him. Jeudy did make a key 30-yard catch to set up the tying field goal against the Saints, and with Boston now dealing with a toe injury, his experience could matter on Sunday.
Watson is the boldest suggestion. He is in the final year of his contract, and Locker believes moving him would have opened the door to a longer look at Shedeur Sanders and the other young quarterbacks. Sanders threw for 297 yards and 2 touchdowns in his lone start, and plenty of voices have called for him to keep the job.
The Browns clearly see it differently. Watson leads the NFL with 5 game-winning drives, and Todd Monken is sending him back out as the starter against Houston. At 5-4 and 1 game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland still believes it can compete.
Locker’s grade reflects that middle ground. The Browns did not hurt themselves, but they also did not take advantage of a chance to add more picks to a draft haul that already includes 11 selections.
Elsewhere, the San Francisco 49ers earned the only A after adding DeForest Buckner and Keenan Allen. The Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills were also praised for spending draft capital to load up for a Super Bowl run.
For the Browns, the deadline is now in the rearview mirror. The players Locker would have moved will be asked to help snap a 2-game losing streak on Sunday.
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