The Top 5 Realistic Trade Deadline Targets for the Cleveland Browns

The 5-2 Cleveland Browns enter the NFL Trade Deadline in rare territory. Their record is good enough that they could justify being buyers.

The beginning of the season was marked with rumors and buzz of the Browns offloading Jerry Jeudy or a quarterback in the hunt for more draft capital.

Instead, a hot start and some notable needs on the roster have them in a justifiable position to push some chips to the middle of the table.

That being said, it's unlikely the Browns will go all-in on the biggest names. They are still a young team and Andrew Berry has built it through a hot streak in the draft lately.

Considering the Browns cap space, roster and situation, we'll rank the team's top five most realistic trade targets ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.

5. CB Amik Robertson, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Commanders DB Amik Robertson

Possible Impact: Myles Harden has been inconsistent throughout the season thus far. He'd immediately be fighting for his job if Amik Robertson came to Cleveland. The veteran's inside-out versatility could see him take Harden's job or backup Tyson Campbell and Denzel Ward.

Projected Cost: Late Day 3 pick or Day 3 pick swap

Why It Could Happen: The Browns depth at cornerback is questionable. It's an underrated issue that could rear its head as the playoff chase gets tighter. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell have each had their own issues with injuries throughout their careers.

Harden has also struggled in the slot so Robertson would be an appropriate solution to two different problems.

Why it Won't: The Commanders are in position to sell at 1-4-1, but their cornerback room has been particularly dreadful. The secondary is giving up a 105.0 passer rating. Robertson has been better than most of their options so they might not be willing to part with him.

From the Browns perspective, the need at cornerback might not be severe enough to warrant a move.

4. Edge Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Chargers Edge Khalil Mack

Possible Impact: Mack would immediately become the most experienced member of the young Browns defensive line. He has lost a step at 35 years old, but he's a nuanced pass-rusher who is still getting to the quarterback.

Projected Cost: 2027 Day 3 Pick

Why It Could Happen: The Chargers are 0-6 heading into Week 8. That's a pretty good reason to ship off a 35-year-old veteran who no longer holds long-term value.

Mack has the kind of juice in the pass rush that the group needs to bolster the outside rotation.

Why it Won't: Some of the younger pass-rushers could end up being part of the long-term solution in Cleveland. Mack can not. If Andrew Berry is looking for anything more than a half-season rental then Mack is not the answer.

The Chargers may also prefer to send Mack elsewhere. He's been with the franchise for five seasons and if he prefers to go to a more proven contender, they may be willing to accomodate.

3. TE Charlie Kolar, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Chargers TE Charlie Kolar

Possible Impact: A blocking tight end would open up the Browns offense to include more 12 personnel usage. Kolar is a strong blocker with ties to Todd Monken from his Ravens days.

Projected Cost: 2027 fifth-round pick or Day 3 pick swap

Why It Could Happen: The Chargers are 0-6 and in a position to be selling off assets. Kolar would be a perfect fit as a secondary tight end behind Harold Fannin.

Kolar should be relatively cheap on the trade market. It's a perfectly justifiable swing to tip the odds in the Browns favor moving forward without going all-in on a big name.

Why it Won't: The Chargers signed Kolar to a three-year contract this offseason. So while it wouldn't cost the Browns much draft capital to take him on, they would be taking on the rest of that contract.

Monken might also be comfortable with his personnel usage at this point. The Browns offense is far from prolific, but it's doing just enough to win games so Kolar could be seen as unnecessary.

2. Edge Jermaine Johnson II, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Stew Milne

Possible Impact: The Browns just got a firsthand look at what Jermaine Johnson can offer the defense. He beat the Cleveland front for five total pressures, per Sports Info Solutions.

Johnson is a gritty, physical edge player who plays the run well and wins with power as a pass-rusher. He would give the Browns an edge-rusher opposite Jared Verse who would defend the run and take advantage of one-one-one blocking.

Projected Cost: 2027 third-round pick

Why It Could Happen: The Browns have a strong pass-rush, but finding another edge who could join the rotation would potentially take them to another level. The playoffs are usually full of teams with deep pass-rushing rotations.

The current coaching staff and front office don't really have connections to Johnson, but they just watched him play and his physicality would match up with what the Browns have.

Why it Won't: The Titans just traded away Jeffery Simmons and received two first-round picks in the deal. They aren't exactly going to be desperate to offload another defensive lineman, especially one who is young and productive as Johnson.

The fit isn't perfect either. Johnson fits in with the Browns current personnel on the edge, but a more speed-oriented rusher with bend would be a better addition.

1. Edge Josh Sweat, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

Cardinals Edge Josh Sweat

Possible Impact: The 30-year-old edge-rusher is just one year removed from a 12-sack campaign with the Cardinals. He has two on the season thus far and would ostensibly increase that total on a defensive line that has been as disruptive as the Browns have been.

Projected Cost: 2027 fourth-round pick

Why It Could Happen: Sweat is the exact stylistic fit the Browns need to bookend with Verse. He's a faster pass-rusher who can still bend as he plays out his age-30 season.

The Cardinals are 2-5 and Sweat came to Arizona as part of the Jonathan Gannon era. The former Eagles defensive coordinator is no longer in charge so Sweat might not be part of their plans.

Why it Won't: It has to be acknowledged that Sweat is coming off a knee injury that landed him on the PUP list at the beginning of the season. He did not look like himself over the first few weeks of the season.

However, he's since put up two sacks and 10 pressures over the last four games. That would make him one of the most productive edge-rushers on the Browns roster right now and the injury could help the team acquire him for cheaper.