NFL free agency has died down and the focus has now shifted towards the NFL Draft, mostly, which is happening next month. As far as draft plans go, we don’t know what the Cleveland Browns are going to do, likewise for the rest of free agency. However, general manager Andrew Berry has pulled off surprises before.
Does Berry have a surprise in him before the Draft?
Berry will make another blockbuster trade for a wide receiver
Last year, Cleveland traded for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy from the Denver Broncos and the move worked out well for both sides. Considering how the Pittsburgh Steelers made a move to bolster their wide receiver room and the Cincinnati Bengals were somehow able to retain both wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Browns are likely planning to make a move of their own.
The name that is being brought up consistently is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk, who was paid by the Niners last offseason could be traded due to the organizational reset that is going on as well as a unique contract structure. Cleveland was interested in Aiyuk last off-season and it wouldn’t be a surprise to many if Berry he decided to go back and try again with Aiyuk.
Aiyuk is coming off a brutal knee injury so the questions are there if he can revert back to his top 15 form.
Cleveland decides to bring back a beloved player
If you are watching the running back market, there’s not much activity going on. Most of the running backs that are being signed are on essentially one-year prove-it deals or, basic two-year deals.
Enter running back Nick Chubb.
As it stands right now, Chubb hasn’t made any visits with any teams.. yet. That’s good news for the Browns. Why? If Chubb discovers that he doesn’t have the market that he wants, Cleveland could come in and sign him to a deal that benefits both sides. Chubb is coming off a broken foot injury and last year’s tape wasn’t necessarily encouraging (he was coming off knee surgery, mind you).
Chubb can come back and not necessarily have the workhorse load that he once had but can be used in situations that can benefit him. With Cleveland reverting back to the offense they are familiar with and a potentially revamped offensive line, Chubb can potentially be back in a situation that is beneficial for him and the locker room gets one of their respected veterans back. It’s a possibility, so it would be unfair to rule out a potential return.
Do you think the Browns should make both moves? Only bring back Chubb? Only trade for Aiyuk? Do you think both moves would make things significantly better for whoever is the starting QB?