Why the Cleveland Browns Should Get Rid of Braylon Edwards

Before and during the draft, I was against Braylon Edwards being traded and was pretty clear about my opinion.  I thought his potential was too great to be given away, despite last season. 

In retrospect, I have changed my views about Edwards. 

What changed my opinion? 

It actually had nothing to do with Edwards's skills set at the time.  I was listening to a podcast, and heard that a new detail came out about the Stallworth incident.  It turns out Edwards was drinking and possibly smoking marijuana with Stallworth the night of the incident. 

As soon as I heard this, I took Edwards off my favorite players list, and lost most of my respect for the guy. 

When I viewed him as a superstar, I blamed all the drops on his lack of motivation.  That could certainly account for some of his drops, but maybe he just doesn't have very good hands!  He cost us many a scoring opportunity, and is one of the disappointments that hurt the Browns so deeply last year.

Now, I'm kind of disappointed he didn't get traded during the NFL Draft.  Cleveland should've taken a first rounder and maybe a third or fourth rounder for him and not be so greedy.  I would've even taken the Giants' offer of Mathias Kiwanuka for him now.

If Braylon was traded for a first rounder, Cleveland could've gone Crabtree, Mack, and Robiskie in the first two rounds.  That would've been my favorite scenario. 

If Cleveland ended up trading down, they still could've gone Mack, either Nicks or Britt, Robiskie, Veikune, and Massaquoi; essentially trading Edwards for Nicks or Britt and a third or fourth rounder, maybe getting a Ramses Barden or someone similar.

Even the Kiwanuka trade might've included Domenik Hixon, and I would've even preferred Hixon and Kiwanuka to Edwards now.

So, since that didn't happen, what can the Browns do with Edwards this year?

I would propose letting him play a few weeks, to show the football world he still has it, then trade him to a team in need of a wide receiver for the best price they can get.  I'm not sure Cleveland will have the funds to pay Edwards anymore, so trading him for a couple draft picks might be the best way to go.

Who would take him?

He might even stay in the AFC North.  Yes, Baltimore might be the best team to take him, with Derrick Mason retiring, and having no true ball hawk on their wide out corps.

If Baltimore failed, the Jets, Chargers, Raiders (Al Davis does like speed...), and Giants would all seem possible, although they probably aren't as big of a possibility after drafting Nicks.

I think it would be fun to see Robiskie and Massaquoi get as much experience this year as possible, to shape the Browns for the future.

Let me know what you think the most likely scenario for Braylon is!