The Patriots reportedly are interested in trading 2019 defensive player-of-the-year Stephon Gilmore. Guess which team could use a veteran cornerback with Super Bowl experience? (NBC News)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Less than 10 days from the start of the 2021 NFL transaction season, trade winds are not exactly swirling around the Browns.
But they can kick up at any time.
“We will explore every available option that becomes available to us to improve the team,” GM Andrew Berry said on March 3. “We always want to be known as an aggressive front office.”
The Browns have been fairly aggressive players in the trade market for the past three years, particularly in the two seasons with John Dorsey at the GM helm.
Dorsey made 13 trades in 2018 and 11 in 2019. Most involved ridding the roster of inherited players Dorsey didn’t want or an exchange of draft picks. But included in those 24 trades were a total of 10 veteran players Dorsey acquired.
In 2018, he acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor, safety Damarious Randall, receiver Jarvis Landry and defensive lineman Devaroe Lawrence.
In 2019, Dorsey acquired defensive end Olivier Vernon, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., safety Eric Murray, guard Jordan McCray, guard Wyatt Teller, and receiver Taywan Taylor.
Only Landry, Beckham and Teller remain on the roster. Dorsey trades also netted extra picks in the 2021 draft in the fourth round (from Eagles for linebacker Genard Avery), fifth round (from Rams for guard Austin Corbett) and seventh round (from Bills in the Teller trade).
In Berry’s first season succeeding Dorsey as GM, he made trades that netted fullback Andy Janovich and safety Ronnie Harrison. Berry also added a pick in the third round (from Saints, to move down in the third round).
Seven of the trades for players were consummated in the week leading up to the kickoff of the new transaction season. So, Berry could be working on something this week.
“Anything that has a chance to improve the roster, we will weigh it and measure it based on other alternatives that are available to us or may be available to us,” Berry said. “One thing I do know is that I think we will have plenty of opportunities to continue to improve the team over the next six to eight months.”
Here are a few suggested targets. One or more of these would definitely improve the Browns as they ascend into the ranks of AFC playoff contenders.
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, 30, New England Patriots
Bill Belichick stepped a little out of character to sign Gilmore to a five-year/$65 million contract in free agency in 2017. Gilmore paid dividends with three outstanding seasons, culminating in NFL defensive player-of-the-year honors in 2019. He was the first cornerback since Charles Woodson in 2009 to win the award.
Gilmore’s play slipped in 2020. He missed five games because of a positive test for Covid-19 and a leg injury. Multiple contract restructurings increased his 2021 salary cap number to a Patriots-high $16.2 million, setting up an inevitable trade. His new team will inherit $7.5 million in salary and roster bonus in 2021.
The cost for Gilmore would be at least a third-round pick, considering the Patriots would probably receive a third-round compensatory pick in 2022 if they lost him in free agency after the 2021 season.
Pros: Many believe he still has a couple Pro Bowl-caliber seasons left, especially playing in a less-demanding zone scheme. Gilmore played in 45 of 48 games in the three seasons in New England prior to missing five games last year. He and Denzel Ward would form one of the best starting cornerback duos in the league. Gilmore’s veteran experience in seven post-season games, including two Super Bowls, would be invaluable to a team embarking on unchartered waters. He also could move inside to cover slot receivers on occasion, as the Browns are looking for a No. 1 nickel cornerback.
Cons: There is a natural “buyer beware” concern if Belichick gives up on a player, but he is hardly infallible (see: Chandler Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo).
Defensive end Derek Barnett, 24, Philadelphia Eagles
Barnett has been largely underwhelming since the Eagles drafted him 14th overall in 2017, registering 19 sacks in 48 games in four seasons. After the Eagles picked up his fifth-year option for $10 million in 2021, he turned in 5.5 sacks with no fumbles forced or recovered and only 16 tackles for loss.
Barnett clearly has fallen behind Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat as the Eagles’ third defensive end. Although the rebuilding Eagles could save $10 million by trading him, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported the team is talking to agent Drew Rosenhaus about a new contract that would lower his cap number over additional years.
Pros: Drafted 13 spots after No. 1 overall Myles Garrett, Barnett turns 25 in June and obviously has not yet tapped the potential that made him a top 15 pick. He broke Reggie White’s sack record at Tennessee with 33 in three seasons. At his age, any team trading for him would extend his contract for at least two or three seasons. Berry’s one season in Philadelphia gives him some inside knowledge of Barnett and also a good relationship with Eagles GM Howie Roseman to formulate a trade.
Cons: He’s been an average pass rusher, never getting more than 6.5 in a season, despite playing in a loaded defensive front four in Jim Schwartz’s wide-nine defensive scheme. He’s missed 15 games to injuries the last three years.