The Trickle Effect: What Braylon Edwards Trade Means for Browns Receivers

Brian Robiskie fans may finally be getting their wish.

With today’s trade of Braylon Edwards to the New York Jets, it will most likely open up more playing time for rookie Brian Robiskie. The former Ohio State Buckeye has yet to line up with the offense this season, being seen mostly on special teams.

The arrival of Chansi Stuckey could push Mike Furrey into the starting lineup with Mohamed Massaquoi, with Stuckey starting his Browns career in the slot. This season, Stuckey has 11 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. In comparison, Edwards had 10 catches for 139 yards and no touchdowns.

He will probably eventually become a starter once he becomes more accustomed to offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s offense.

Head coach Eric Mangini is apparently satisfied with what he saw out of Mohamed Massaquoi on Sunday and will suddenly become Derek Anderson’s No. 1 receiver. The rookie burst onto the NFL scene against the Bengals, hauling in eight passes for 148 yards.

ESPN reported that the draft picks the Browns received from the Jets were a third and a fifth, the third-round choice potentially becoming a second rounder if Edwards reaches a certain number of catches and yards.

When I analyze the trade, I think the Browns made the right move. Edwards had clearly worn out his welcome in Cleveland and has continued to complain about not being liked because he played at Michigan.

This gives him a fresh start with a 3-1 team and the Browns collected a couple draft choices, a special teams linebacker in Jason Trusnik and a developing wide receiver in Stuckey.

If Edwards reaches the Jets’ expectations, the Browns will have two second-round choices in the 2010 draft. The Browns received a two and a five for Kellen Winslow and Mangini and general manager George Kokinis turned the second rounder into Massaquoi. With the Browns in a rebuilding mode, extra draft picks are a necessity.

Anderson apparently lost confidence in Edwards during the Bengals game after he dropped the first ball thrown to him. Anderson finished with nearly 270 yards through the air without Edwards making a catch. This could potentially hurt Massaquoi because teams were double teaming Edwards, leaving the former Bulldog in one-on-one situations.

Unless Edwards turns into a Pro Bowl receiver in the final 12 games of the season, learning a new offense, I don’t see the Jets resigning him after the season. Edwards still has maturity problems and cannot control his emotions on or off the field. This trade will send a message to the rest of the team and hopefully benefit both parties.