Browns' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make Splash in 2024 NFL Draft

The Cleveland Browns are not scheduled to take part in the 2024 NFL draft until the No. 54 overall pick.

The Browns do not have a first-round pick because of the Deshaun Watson trade with the Houston Texans. They only have five draft picks in total.

Draft-day trades seem unlikely for the Browns given their lack of draft picks to work with, but they could be willing to deal if the second round breaks their way.

A handful of players could drop into the second round, which could lead to the Browns brass packaging their second-round pick with another selection to move up.

Move Up to No. 40 in Trade with Washington

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HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 08: Washington Huskies wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) runs with the ball after a catch against Michigan Wolverines defensive back Mike Sainristil (0) during the CFP National Championship on January 08, 2024 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cleveland's ideal trade partners in the second round should be teams with multiple picks, like the Washington Commanders.

Washington is currently scheduled to pick at Nos. 36 and 40. It has six total picks in the top 100.

The Browns could try to pry away the No. 40 pick from the Commanders to land extra wide receiver help.

Cleveland landed Jerry Jeudy in an offseason trade, but it could use a third consistent pass-catcher behind Amari Cooper and Jeudy.

Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan are two of the wide outs who were projected to land in the second round in the latest mock draft from Bleacher Report's NFL scouting department.

Cleveland could package its second-round pick and one more of its selections in a deal that would likely move it ahead of any other team with a wide receiver need.

Proposed Trade: Cleveland trades Nos. 54 and 156 picks to Washington for No. 40 pick

Leap Ahead of Divisional Rivals in Second Round

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 19: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by linebacker Elandon Roberts #50 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Steelers 13-10. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Browns are slated to pick behind the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in every round they have a pick in.

Cincinnati sits at No. 49 and Pittsburgh resides at No. 51 in the second round.

Cleveland could leap both of its AFC North rivals to land a prospect that intrigues all of the divisional foes.

The Browns' target for a move like this would either be the New York Giants at No. 47 or Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 48.

A move up of six or seven spots would not come at a drastic cost for the Browns, who need to be wise with any potential splashes they want to make in the second round.

Cleveland could be after wide receiver or linebacker help. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh also have those needs, and if they are not addressed in the first round, they could be the target of their respective second-round picks.

Proposed Trade: Cleveland trades Nos. 54 and 206 picks to Jacksonville for No. 48 pick

Big Swing into Late Part of First Round

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CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 07: Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski runs off the field after the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

There is a 99 percent chance the Browns do not consider moving into the first round.

But if we are exploring crazy hypothetical deals, a move into the back part of Thursday's selection process should be considered.

Cleveland would have to package its second-round pick and at least one more selection to appease any team picking from No. 22 to No. 32.

The Minnesota Vikings, who currently own the Browns' No. 23 pick via Houston, could be the target of the Browns' swing into the first round.

The assumption around Minnesota's acquisition of the No. 23 is that it would use that selection to trade up further into the first round to land a quarterback.

But if that strategy fails, the Vikings could be willing to talk to other teams about a trade.

Of course, the lack of a first-round pick hurts the Browns in any negotiations, but Minnesota does not have a pick until the fourth round and could be interested in Cleveland's first two selections.

Proposed Trade: Cleveland trades Nos. 54 and 85 picks to Minnesota for No. 23 pick