It is never too early in the season to talk about player trades, according to Bleacher Report.
For the Cleveland Browns, BR has three suggestions for players to put on the block.
These suggestions could surprise the most ardent of Cleveland Browns fans.
I will offer BR’s logic and then my own twist on it for each player.
Here are the three players.
1. D’Ernest Johnson
BR Logic: The writer believes that with the solid play of Demetric Felton and the consistency of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt that D’Ernest Johnson is the odd man out.
While BR is not entirely wrong with this logic, the fact remains that D’Ernest Johnson is only 25 years old and he provides utility and depth on both offense and special teams at a bargain contract rate of $850,000 for 2021.
He becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the 2021 season.
Felton is a rookie and has shown signs of being an outstanding player, but he also could be plugged into multiple areas including wide receiver.
For a team that craves depth and versatility, Johnson is the type of player that is valuable to carry on the roster.
This is a little random but the #Browns kickoff team has looked awesome these first 2 weeks.
Notably JOK, AJ Green and D’Ernest Johnson have stepped up in that unit.
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) September 20, 2021
2. Harrison Bryant
Harrison Bryant is really nice with it pic.twitter.com/ukyOuI5KYI
— rj (@CalebWiIIiams) September 21, 2021
BR Logic: Because the Browns have Austin Hooper and David Njoku who are the more established and higher salaried players in the tight end position, Harrison Bryant, in the second year of his rookie contract, is expendable.
This is crazy thinking on the part of BR.
To begin with, Kevin Stefanski is known for carrying many tight ends and his multiple tight end sets.
Second, the Browns already lost tight end Stephen Carlson for the season.
The Browns would not consider putting a young player like Bryant on the trading block especially when their mantra for drafting players is building for the future.
Bryant could be a Brown much longer than Austin Hooper, and he is going to see his share of playing time especially with wide receiver Jarvis Landry on IR.
3. Andrew Billings
BR Logic: Billings, who opted out in 2020 for COVID-19 reasons, has not found a foothold in this roster.
He is being overshadowed by the Malik brothers, McDowell and Jackson, who are both new to the team in 2021.
Once again, BR is not totally off base about Billings getting a little bit lost in the shuffle; however, the Browns had so many issues with depth in 2020, that Billings brings necessary depth to the roster.
Will he be the star or get the lion’s share of the defensive snaps?
Maybe not, but there is a place for him on the roster in a backup capacity.
😁 #BrownsCamp pic.twitter.com/X2lLaPxpYw
— Andrew Billings (@BillingsAndrew) August 19, 2021
Conclusion
We are 3 games in on a long 17 game season with hopefully playoff games added to that number.
At this point, no one from the Browns should be traded.
The team has barely played enough together (especially with limited play of veterans in preseason) to know its true identity.
Stats leaders and stars will probably vary from game to game so it is way too early to be suggesting anyone should be traded.
OBJ needs to go. He is no longer a difference maker. He is hurt more often than not.
You’re crazy. OBJ led receivers in yards last week.
You need to go! OBJ is awesome! Go root for another team, you are not a Browns fan,
You are a little premature
OBJ and Mayfield are the most overrated players in football. Trade them now while you can get something for them.
Also, 4.5 sacks from Myles Garrett is the oddity, not the norm. He is in the second tier of overrated players, I’d trade him too.
Im sorry what NFL team are you working for with all your vast knowledge of players?
That was without a doubt the most idiotic sports comment that I’ve ever had the misfortune of wasting my time to read!
Work for the Steelers??
You are definitely smoking something Garrett is one of the best DE in the game he will be Defensive player of the year this year. And for Baker and OBJ they are not overrated you need to pull your head out of your you know what!!!!!!
To early to think about trades. We do not know what we truly have yet. Guessing is not the
Listen, if you want to talk OBJ, then you have to realize theres good and bad in him. Of course he gets injured a lot, but he did start playing again only 10 months after tearing his ACL. Not to mention he did well in his first game back. When Beckham is on the field, Baker is not at his best and thats clear, but with him out last year, and Baker getiing into rythem you just have to wait this out and see how well he can do. And we gave a 1st and 3rd for him, best we can get with how hes played in 2nd.
That was without a doubt the most idiotic sports comment that I’ve ever had the misfortune of wasting my time to read!