DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Trade deadline - Buyers, sellers or inactive?

Wondering what people think about the potential for the browns to be active at trade deadline? We're in first place despite not playing our best football (Monken's own words - echoed by Quincy) ...

I don't see us being sellers. The only guys that seem to make sense would be Sanders or Gabriel. Not sure there is a trade partner needing either - Berry reportedly likes Sanders. I'd be happy if Gabriel is the back up for the next 2-3 years.

I can see Berry beating the bushes and maybe being a buyer - OL help maybe? Depth at CB? It seems to me that we know we want to upgrade at QB next draft ... but being in first place, having the opportunity to potentially be in the playoffs this season should be enough motivation for a moderately aggressive trade here or there. a 4th or 5th rounder packaged for someone else's middle of the road/average OL who could challenge our roster to become a starter along the line. I wouldn't be at all surprised if this happened.

We might sit tight wanting to keep every piece of draft capital for the draft and targeting out future FQB ... but ... as well as 2027 draft capital Berry has shown a willingness to pull from future drafts so preserving those mid round picks if there is a real opportunity to add this year seems less important to me.

I don't think we do anything. Maybe we still pick someone from a practice squad at some point.

Just as a question, who made the report about Berry liking Sanders? Berry usually doesn't say much during the season. He sometimes says things during the bye but I don't recall him saying much this go around. Probably since it was early this year.

The comment about Berry liking Sanders was from the Athletic I am sure. It may be inaccurate I don't know but it's the only thing I have seen.

I think Berry has shown himself to be a little bit of a maverick on trades and more aggressive than your average GM - with Monken being a pretty aggressive/assertive ... win now sort of guy. I would hedge on us finding someone. Just an opinion.

I could see us trading for an inexpensive (draft capital wise) TE or CB.

I see depth on the defensive line being high on the list.

There is some chatter about Khalil Mack to the Browns in a day-three pick trade. Chargers are sellers to the youth movement and Mack is cheap. Mack is also 35.

I see us sitting back and waiting for potential trade partners come to us.

I could see Berry trading Jeudy away if a team came calling and we got a sweet offer. We got him for a 5th and a 6th, so if someone dangled a 4th or better I could see us moving him (buy low, sell high). There's a non-zero chance he turns back into a pumpkin next season (last on his contract).

If a guy out of the Gabriel/Sanders/Green mix were to somehow set himself apart, I could see us moving one of them, but I don't expect the market to be great (best case is we get back the pick we used to draft them... likely not even that for Gabriel). I wouldn't mind shedding a body from the QB room, but they are worth more to us here than we would get for them in a trade.


Unless the offense really gets going in a hurry, I don't see us being buyers, either.

Road grader guard

I wouldn't rule it out. I will say Berry exhausts all options and really beats the bushes.

I'm just not sure where he would go with that. The OL could surely use an upgrade but then he just invested heavily in the OL and it seems to me he would let the season play out to see how it all meshes and how they develop as a unit before toying even further with it.

I tend to agree with bone that there is a lot of talent already on this roster and they're pretty much just a QB away. But at the same time if berry sees a bargain where he thinks there is a chance to upgrade I don't see him walking away from it.

I don't expect much to happen regarding the trade deadline. I think Berry wants to hold all his picks for the major goal of QB next year.

Areas that could see a small upgrade, but can make a big difference:

TE - I think the Browns expected for Joe Royer to be that (blocking/receiving) secondary piece in the depth chart. However, he's out for the year on the reserve/non-football illness list. Berry likes to churn the bottom of the roster, so practice squad might be his option to find another TE to play with Fannin and Whiteheart. Maybe he uses a late round pick for a blocking TE.

Why I think this is important: Think Njoku. Njoku the first couple years was a terrible blocker and good receiver, credit to him for becoming a solid blocker over the years. Fannin is still learning the blocking, great receiver. We need another blocking piece, one reason for depth and one to help take the pressure off of Fannin to block.

Slot corner - Berry received great value in getting Campbell from the Jags (i know he plays on the outside). If there is one spot that could use an upgrade is Myles Harden. Between injuries, being young (our backups) at that position this is a spot we can use a solid veteran to start and push Harden to a backup role. Or maybe Berry looks at it and thinks our defense can hide this week spot for the year (and maybe Harden will improve). We save the draft pick and draft a middle rounder next year and/or sign a FA.

Areas where we might pick up someone or not:

OL - Unless we have some injuries, I do not think we need to trade for a lineman. Center has been playing alright. Our guards have played pretty well. Johnson has been solid in my opinion. Barber has made some rookie mistakes, but has been solid. Looking at the big picture, he needs to gain some strength (and more experience) like most rookie lineman do. Fano has played solid. I am happy with his work. He falls into the same big picture as Barber. These two can improve through the year with more experience. Right tackle can use an upgrade. Howard has played "ok". He isn't a turnstile, but we do need an upgrade. Next year he would be a solid RT backup. I won't speak on the issues regarding the RBs. I unfortunetly haven't had time to look at the game breakdown replays regarding where the issues are regarding our run game. I will say our line needs to keep playing together this year to keep gelling. If this squad was being hit hard with injuries, then maybe a trade is warranted. I am sure Berry has asked Monken/Warhop their thoughts on if the line can improve. They're the only ones that know that answer.

DL - We possibly could use an old vet for depth (like Fate mentioned) along the line with a late round pick. The great thing about our line is we are second in sacks in the league (one sack behind the leader) and right at the top regarding pressures too. This is even with Graham/Hall being out, waiting for Kalia Davis to return, and Verse not showing much on the stat sheet. Berry has three options, stand pat and bank on those three returning, bringing in a vet on a late round pick, or looking at grabbing a body off another PS. I will say the players Berry keeps bringing in (i.e. Barnett as an example) have played alright for not being in the begining of the season plans.

I do not see the Browns making in huge moves unless they were able to secure a player that fits in their 2027 - 2029 window. I think they have a plan and have stayed fairly disciplined in 2025 and so far in 2026 to what talent they see fitting in that window. They may trade day 3 capital to secure a position for this year but even as good of a start they have to this season I do not think they are all end SB or bust so I do not see any huge splashes at the deadline. I also do not see them trading away talent like Juedy while this team in contending either.

I agree with you. Wish this OL could be more smooth and mechanically relaxed; We seem to have one poor play call each series. For Ski it was first down and we were often behind the chains. For Monken, it is second down, and it is becoming more predictable. Also, we have made the O line's job tougher calling longer and later routes. Leaves pocket late, flushes in a panic. The pass ends up be 20 yards when we need four. This is confounded by shotgun for DW. We could look for a few linemen who block to the whistle, ambitious lads; notice how many of ours are standing around watching the plays' ends. Not trading for some help does not indicate we do not need it. Berry seems to be churning the roster and PS regularly. Go, Browns!

If we trade for anyone it should be someone who can help us win now, obviously, and also in the next few seasons as well. We're doing better than expected as of now. How long we can keep it up is anyone's guess but even if we somehow make the playoffs I doubt we will get very far. Berry has to continue to build the roster with eyes towards the future which is exactly what he is doing.