3 Players Browns Must Consider Trading for at 2023 NFL Deadline

The Cleveland Browns enter Week 8 in a weird position.

They are only a half-game out of first place in the AFC North and have one of the best defenses in football.

However, the offense is crumbling apart a bit with Deshaun Watson dealing with a shoulder injury.

Watson is dealing with a strain inside his rotator cuff that typically forces baseball pitchers to sit four-to-six weeks, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Cleveland has to safe with its franchise quarterback, which will lead to some serious discussion about its quarterback play while Watson heals. PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson have both been given shots at starting.

If the Browns feel Walker can do a sufficient enough job, they need to look to the trade market for additional at help at the skill positions.

If not, the Browns may have to bring in a short-term fix at quarterback to bridge the gap of the schedule to when Watson is 100 percent.

Andy Dalton

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 24: Andy Dalton #14 of the Carolina Panthers attempts a pass during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 24, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Browns need to make a decision about their quarterback play.

Thompson-Robinson was not good enough in place of Watson, so the team turned to Walker, who has zero touchdowns, three interceptions and a completion percentage of 50 in two appearances.

Cleveland may have to trade for a short-term fix to keep the offense competitive in the next few games while Watson works back to 100 percent.

Andy Dalton is currently being used as insurance and a mentor for Bryce Young with the Carolina Panthers. Dalton will not play anymore this season unless Young gets hurt.

The Browns probably do not have many options on the quarterback trade market, which is why they could be stuck with Walker under center.

Dalton knows the AFC North from his time with the Cincinnati Bengals and he can be a serviceable signal-caller for a few weeks.

He threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns in his lone start of 2023 and he had 2,871 passing yards in 14 starts for the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

Dalton is likely the best option among the current backup quarterbacks, but it may take two or three draft picks to land him because Carolina is in need of draft capital after its trade to land Young at No. 1 in the 2023 draft.

Elijah Mitchell

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Elijah Mitchell #25 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter in the game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

If the Browns can't land a quarterback, they need to reinforce their ground game.

Jerome Ford has done a decent job as the starter in place of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has added some depth after he re-signed.

Now the Browns are staring a potential Ford absence in the face after he suffered a high ankle sprain against the Indianapolis Colts.

Hunt is not a primary back anymore and Pierre Strong Jr. does not have any experience as a starter in the NFL.

Cleveland could reach out to the San Francisco 49ers about Elijah Mitchell, who is stuck in a weird spot on that roster.

Mitchell has the fifth-most carries on the 49ers roster. Jordan Mason took over some of the snaps Mitchell received last season.

Mason appears to be the favored running back to start if Christian McCaffrey gets hurt. That could make Mitchell expendable at the trade deadline, and if anything, the Browns should reach out in an attempt to have more running back depth to partner their woeful quarterback situation.

DeAndre Hopkins

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - OCTOBER 08: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Cleveland's other option on the trade market is to bolster the wide receivers around its backup quarterback.

The Tennessee Titans signaled they are open for business after trading safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles at the start of the week.

Tennessee's offensive stars could be up next on the trade block if the AFC South side commits to a full rebuild.

DeAndre Hopkins could fit in Cleveland alongside Amari Cooper. He would not cost much since he has a potential out in his contract this offseason.

The Browns would use Hopkins as a rental to boost the profile of all their quarterbacks.

Hopkins played with Watson in Houston and that natural chemistry could help the Browns revamp their offense when their starter is fully healthy.

A Cooper-Hopkins wide receiver duo could elevate the Browns over the rest of their AFC North rivals, and at the absolute least, it would give them an advantage over other wild-card contenders.