The Cleveland Browns are off to a 2-6 start this season, but the team has a surprising plan heading into the NFL trade deadline. Despite rumors linking Cleveland to potential trades involving players like David Njoku, Jerome Ford, Denzel Ward, and even the unlikely possibility of Myles Garrett, general manager Andrew Berry has different intentions.
### Browns Plan to Be Buyers at the Trade Deadline
Contrary to expectations that the Browns would be sellers, NFL insider Adam Schefter has revealed that Cleveland plans to be buyers at the deadline, looking to acquire young players to strengthen the roster. This approach would certainly come as a surprise given the team’s slow start. If the Browns can add promising talent, Berry may make a notable move to improve the squad.
### David Njoku Likely to Remain with the Browns
Despite trade speculation surrounding tight end David Njoku, it appears he will stay with the team beyond the November 4 trade deadline. One major reason the Browns are hesitant to move Njoku is the limited return they would likely receive. Njoku has lost his starting role to Harold Fannell Jr., and according to Browns insider Zac Jackson, any trade would probably only net the Browns a fifth- or sixth-round draft pick.
Jackson writes, “It’s hard to imagine Njoku bringing back more than a fifth- or sixth-rounder, though any potential deal might follow the model of last year’s Smith trade and the early October Browns-Bengals Joe Flacco deal, in which the teams swapped draft picks on each side.”
Recently, Cleveland claimed tight end Brenden Bates off waivers and signed tight end Caden Prieskorn to the practice squad. While these moves don’t necessarily signal a post-Njoku future, they do raise questions about the team’s plans.
Financially, a trade would only require the acquiring team to take on the prorated amount of Njoku’s $1.26 million base salary for 2025. Although Njoku, 29, is eligible for free agency after this season, his cap hit for 2024 is expected to be around $24 million for the Browns, due to an upfront cash payment that stretched out his contract in 2023.
Given the low trade value and salary implications, it makes sense that the Browns are looking to add talent rather than move established players like Njoku.
### Kevin Stefanski on Improving the Offense
The Browns’ offense has struggled this season, with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel facing challenges in his starts. During the bye week, head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke about ways the offense can improve moving forward.
While specifics from Stefanski’s remarks were not detailed, the focus on offensive adjustments is crucial if the Browns hope to turn their season around and capitalize on any new additions made at the trade deadline.
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As the trade deadline approaches, it will be interesting to see how the Browns execute their surprising buyer strategy and whether any young players can provide a spark for the team’s offense and overall performance.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/cleveland-browns/stunning-trade-deadline-plan-nfl/
