NFL insider shuts down idea of Cleveland Browns making a second big time trade to follow up the Myles Garrett move
Cleveland Browns shocked the NFL world by trading Myles Garrett. Don’t expect it to be a fire sale by the Browns though, as the idea of trading Denzel Ward has already been addressed.
The fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has a lot of mixed feelings today after the trade of Myles Garrett. After a rocky couple of years recently, the Browns parted ways with the All-Pro EDGE by sending him to the Los Angeles Rams.
It’s a big move for the Browns that clearly deemed Garrett didn’t fit the current schedule they’re on for competing. Cleveland is stacking young talent and the draft capital plus EDGE Jared Verse allows them to keep doing so.
With Garrett traded, it’s fair to wonder if the Browns could move off other older talent on the roster. It’s already been answered that one other Pro Bowl defender won’t be moved.
Denzel Ward trade talk comes to a halt before it begins
Ward is the other cornerstone piece for the Browns’ defense that could make some sense to be moved. However, the current expectation is that Cleveland is going to hold onto the former No. 4 overall draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
“Don’t sense this is a fire sale,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on X. “Was told a hard no on Denzel Ward’s availability, for example.”
Ward is entering year No. 9 with the Browns and has stayed healthy the last couple years playing in 31 of 34 possible games. A player who has struggled at times with concussions and soft tissue injuries, who has still been able to be a five-time Pro Bowler.
Cleveland trading two cornerstone pieces of the defense would be a tough sell to fans after just eight wins combined the past two seasons.
Browns aren’t in a spot to trade Denzel Ward
The Garrett trade with the Rams was more possible because the team got back a very good pass rusher with Verse to fill in. Cleveland would have to get a capable starting cornerback in any trade of Ward, and it’s unlikely to happen. The Browns have Tyson Campbell opposite Ward, but the cupboard is rather bare past him in terms of outside corners who can start.
Cleveland is currently looking at D’Angelo Ross and Dom Jones as their reserve boundary corners. While both can be solid depth potentially for the Browns, they’re not players Cleveland will want to throw out there regularly.
Not trading Ward is probably the right call unless a first-round pick is offered up for the Pro Bowler, then it’s a deal the Browns should be thinking about.