BOSTON — With the trade deadline about 10 days away, the Browns still hope to be buyers on a player or two.
It won’t be Jets receiver Garrett Wilson, because the Jets undoubtedly won’t part with him after they just signed him to a four-year extension in July worth $130 million, including $90 million guaranteed. Despite rumors on social media, the Browns haven’t given it any thought, in part because they know the Jets wouldn’t consider it, even though they’re 0-7.
In fact, they probably won’t add another starting-caliber receiver until the offseason, via the draft, a trade or free agency.
But they would like to land another key player or two like they did cornerback Tyson Campbell in the trade for Greg Newsome II two weeks ago. Campbell, starting opposite Denzel Ward, had a great game against the Dolphins, including his pick-six off Tua Tagovailoa. If the Browns can find another player or two in his prime that can help them over multiple years, they’ll try to close a deal soon.
As for being sellers in this cycle, they’re not actively trying to trade any of their big-name players in the final years of their contract such as David Njoku or Wyatt Teller, but they also didn’t plan on trading Joe Flacco or Newsome until the Bengals and Jaguars proposed those deals.
They’ll listen to offers over the next 10 days, but aren’t seeking to sell off their key players, even if they lose to the Patriots on Sunday to fall to 2-6.
But GM Andrew Berry loves to wheel and deal at this time of year, and will undoubtedly try to add at least a good role player or two before the Nov. 4 deadline.
**Shedeur Sanders is not on the trading block**
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Social media speculation ran rampant on Saturday when the Browns added Sanders to the injury report as questionable for the Patriots game with back tightness. But the soreness is legitimate, and the Browns have no plans to trade Sanders, even though he’s not getting any first-team reps in practice, and might not see the field for awhile.
Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave said Friday that Sanders is coming up the learning curve nicely.
“He’s working hard and really learning by the day, by the week,” he said. “He’s doing a nice job of getting the most out of each and every day and feeling more comfortable with the system.”
Sanders’ back tightened up overnight, and the Browns elevated fourth-year pro Bailey Zappe, the 2022 fourth-round pick of the Patriots, as a precautionary measure. If Sanders feels okay on Sunday morning, he’ll back up Gabriel for the fourth straight game and continue to be ready for his opportunity.
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees explained why Sanders wasn’t put in the Dolphins game Sunday when it got 31-6 in the fourth quarter.
“Part of it is, you’re starting a rookie who you want to have those experiences as well,” Rees said. “So, Kevin obviously makes those decisions and we talk through a lot of those, and there’ll be opportunities moving forward, I’m sure, but yeah, we’ll evaluate that as it comes.
“As a young quarterback, you want to put guys in really positive situations where they can build confidence and continue to look for those opportunities, but Shedeur is working hard doing what we’re asking him, and he knows he needs to be ready at a moment’s notice.”
As for any set schedule for when Sanders will play, the Browns don’t have one. They’ll let it unfold, with some of it depending on the performance of the offense, and some on Sanders’ development.
**Why the Browns want to see more of Dillon Gabriel**
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The Browns recognize that Gabriel was thrown into a tough situation, starting his first NFL game in London against the Vikings, and his second in Pittsburgh against the then 3-1 Steelers, who are now 4-2 after their run-in with Flacco.
His third start came last week against the Dolphins in a first-half downpour, and the Browns were happy with the way Gabriel managed the 31-6 victory — and the ball — in the elements.
He hasn’t turned the ball over in his first three starts, which is a huge plus, but now he has to do more to get the passing game up to speed, as does everyone else on offense. The Browns aren’t pinning the passing woes on Gabriel, although they do recognize that he has to be willing to take some shots when they’re there. The offensive tackle spot has been a revolving door, but right tackle Jack Conklin’s return should help in that regard.
The Browns also haven’t had No. 2 receiver Cedric Tillman (hamstring) the past three games, and were without David Njoku vs. the Dolphins. The Browns know that the offense needs more time on task, and that it’s filled with rookies.
“We’re young,” Musgrave said. “We’re young at the skill positions. We’ve got a lot of young guys out there. Even Jamari Thrash, just his second year, but he hasn’t played a lot. So, we’re young, which is exciting. The guys are so eager to figure this all out and get good at this pro football thing. The young guys across the board, tight end, wide receiver, running backs, QBs, we’re young. So they’re getting better, and we’re looking forward to making big strides, starting with this week up there in Foxborough.”
The Browns definitely want to see more points from Gabriel and the offense, and don’t have him on a short leash. But the passing game does need to improve, or they’ll undoubtedly find themselves tempted to turn to Sanders soon than perhaps they want to.
**Deshaun Watson feels he has a lot of good football left in him**
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Musgrave revealed that Watson, who’s still on reserve/physically unable to perform, is coming along so well in his recovery from his retorn Achilles that he’s doing extraordinary things in his rehab.
“It can’t be easy,” Musgrave said. “He’s working hard, he’s out there working behind the scenes. I see him in the weight room all the time doing box jumps and doing all the exercises, things that they put them through before his Achilles, and then he’s out throwing some passes. I know at times when we’re meeting or when we’re doing other stuff during the afternoon, he seems like he’s working like crazy.”
Does he wonder what Watson has left after fractured shoulder surgery and the retorn Achilles repair?
“Yeah, he’s definitely been through a lot,” Musgravee said. “I know he wants to play a lot of football again. He feels like he’s got a lot of tread left on his tires.”
He said Watson has also been a tremendous help to Gabriel, including during the Dolphins game on the sidelines.
“I like when those two birds converse, I like when they’re talking over there,” Musgrave said. “And I try to take myself out of the equation – I don’t need to be there hovering all over them. They spoke a lot during the game, in fact, the other day against Miami on the sideline with Deshaun being there. Deshaun went on the trip with us down to Charlotte to get his Achilles looked at, but otherwise he hasn’t been on the road. We miss him on the road. It’s great to have his presence on the sideline for our young group.”
Watson will undergo some tests after the bye week to determine where he’s at, and once he’s cleared medically, the Browns will go from there. At this point, there’s no telling if he’ll be ready to play this season.
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