The only trade-up GM Andrew Berry has made in three years netted the Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Was it worth it?
Most of Andrew Berry’s draft-day trades have not aged well
You must have an active subscription to read this story.
Click Here to subscribe Now!
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
One in a series previewing the 2023 Browns draft …
Draft picks and trades.
What Browns fan doesn’t live for them?
The anticipation of the wrapped presents under the tree and the unknown of what’s inside them. So irresistible.
The excitement of this week’s Browns draft has been muted by the absence of first- and second-round picks. But there’s always trades to stir the pot, and the imagination. And you can count on GM Andrew Berry delivering a trade or, more likely, two.
In fact, Berry has made seven trades during the three days of the draft in his three years on the job. These do not include pre-draft deals such as the Deshaun Watson trade with Houston last year or the Elijah Moore trade with the Jets this year. We’re talking about trades to move up, down, or out of the current draft while on the clock.
Drafts are fairly unpredictable. But Berry’s track record makes one or two draft-day trades the most likely occurrence for the Browns this weekend.
“There have been certain points where we thought based on what we anticipated the board to look like, where we might have been looking for an escape hatch or we may be interested in trading up,” Berry said.
“There are plenty of other situations where we have a player that we like and then you get a call a couple picks away, or on Friday or Saturday morning or early afternoon. Here’s an opportunity that we have discussed in generalities when we were doing our strategy planning, but we didn’t necessarily anticipate what would actually come available to us and then you consider it a little bit differently.”
Based on history, Berry is more likely to trade back to acquire extra picks in next year’s draft. Rolling picks into the next draft generally improves the round by one; thus, a fourth this year becomes a third next year. Berry has traded up only one time in seven draft-day trades in three years.
“I think it’s more situationally dependent on how the board falls, quite honestly,” Berry said of his general trade strategy. “Ultimately, what is the acquisition cost to move up from [No.] 74 to the third pick in the draft? I wouldn’t say there is a hard and fast rule, but generally speaking, because we look at the draft more through a long-term lens, we probably in general would be more apt to move back than necessarily move up. I wouldn’t say that we would be exclusively tied to that decision-making thought process.”
Here’s a closer look at Berry’s seven draft-day trades as Browns general manager. Like draft picks, trades age over time. Overall, the majority of Berry’s trades have not aged particularly well.
2022
* Traded 2022 second (44th overall) to Texans for 2022 third (68th) and two 2022 fourths (108th) and (124th).
Analysis: This was a huge letdown in real time because of having to sit out the first round in the first installment of the Watson trade. Extending the wait for a first pick through the second round on Friday night was pure torture. Especially after Georgia receiver George Pickens stayed on the board until pick No. 52 (taken by the Steelers).
Berry compounded the pain by taking a cornerback – another cornerback? -- M.J. Emerson of Mississippi State, with his first pick, No. 68 overall. He followed with defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey of Oklahoma with pick No. 108 and LSU kicker Cade York with No. 124.
One year later: Emerson and York were the Browns’ best two rookies. If he keeps improving, Emerson, with his length and physicality, can be a long-time starter. York had his ups and downs in the kicker’s Bermuda Triangle of Cleveland Browns Stadium, but he did set a Browns rookie record for points and field goals. Winfrey, well, that’s another story. His roster spot is hanging by a thread after repeated immaturity issues.
Bottom line: Some people believe Pickens is a disciplinary problem waiting to happen. Maybe. But I’d take him. He looks special to me. York was the only kicker taken in the draft and could’ve been gotten without trading for an extra pick. Winfrey may be beyond repair.
* Traded 2022 fourth (118th) to Vikings for 2022 fifth (156th) and 2023 fourth.
Analysis: This made sense before Berry made his selection at No. 156. When he used that selection on running back Jerome Ford, which seemed superfluous with Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt and D’Ernest Johnson already on board, few saw the logic.
One year later: The best players bypassed at No. 118 were Arizona State cornerback Jack Jones (an instant starter taken by the Patriots at No. 121) and Nevada receiver Romeo Doubs (taken No. 132 by the Packers). Ford made contributions his rookie year as a kick returner while Hunt and Johnson played out their contracts.
Bottom line: The Browns knew they wouldn’t retain Hunt and Johnson, so Ford was taken to step in after one year. Now he’s RB2 and the third-down back, and the likely heir to starter Nick Chubb. Running backs coach Stump Mitchell sees Ford as an every-down back who “can do it all.” The extra fourth in this year’s draft is a bonus.
* Traded nickel back Troy Hill to Rams for 2023 fifth.
Analysis: This was done to acquire an asset because the Browns planned to move Greg Newsome into the nickel back role.
One year later: Newsome struggled in the unfamiliar role inside. Hill, 31, didn’t exactly sparkle in his return to the Rams, but he had one interception compared to Newsome’s zero.
Bottom line: Let’s see what Berry does with the 2023 fifth.
2021
* Traded 2021 second (59th) and third (89th) to Carolina for 2021 second (52nd) and fourth (113th).
Analysis: Berry’s only trade-up in three years was to move up seven notches to select Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. The Browns contended they considered JOK with their first-round pick at No. 26, which they used on Newsome. They later threw in the 113th pick in another trade.
Two years later: The under-sized Owusu-Koramoah has had his flashes of speed and collision-making, but he has struggled to stay healthy. The Browns bypassed a better linebacker, Missouri’s Nick Bolton, who was taken 58th by the Chiefs and has become a mainstay of their AFC-dominating team.
Bottom line: The over-evaluation of JOK vs. Bolton is a classic analytics department mishap.
* Traded 2021 fourth (113th) and seventh (257th) to Lions for 2021 fifth (153rd) and 2022 fourth.
Analysis: On paper, this made sense at the time. But it was puzzling when Berry used the 153rd pick on Tony Fields, another extra-light linebacker. The future fourth appeared to make it worth it.
Two years later: By trading the 113th, Berry bypassed Oklahoma running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Who cared, right? The Browns had Chubb and Hunt. Stevenson, taken No. 120 by the Patriots, is an absolute force in Bill Belichick’s offense. By moving down 40 notches, the Browns missed the chance to select Florida kicker Evan McPherson, taken 149th in the fifth round by the Bengals. It later was reported the Browns hoped to take McPherson with the 153rd pick. McPherson became one of the heroes of the Bengals’ march to the Super Bowl in 2021.
Bottom line: This trade definitely did not work out. I’d rather have McPherson than Fields, which would have precluded taking York a year later. And that 2022 fourth was sent to the Texans in the Watson mega-deal.
2020
* Traded 2020 second (41st) to Colts for 2020 second (44th) and fifth (160th).
Analysis: Another trade that seemed harmless on paper, adding an extra pick to move down a scant three spots. Berry used the 44th on LSU safety Grant Delpit and the 160th on Washington center Nick Harris. Two selections based on need, Delpit immediate and Harris in the near future.
Three years later: An Achilles rupture in training camp blew up Delpit’s rookie season. He has since improved in each of his two seasons on the field, but has not been a difference-maker. His fourth season will dictate if he receives a second contract. Harris was tabbed the heir-apparent to warrior center JC Tretter, but injuries throttled that hope. His roster spot is now uncertain after free agent Ethan Pocic earned a second contract, including $10 million guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Colts took Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor with the 41st pick. Fine. Payback for the Trent Richardson trade in 2013. In choosing Delpit, though, Berry passed up Minnesota safety Antoine Winfield, who was defensive rookie of the year and then made the Pro Bowl in his second season. Most coaches would rather have Winfield than Delpit.
* Traded 2020 third (74th) and seventh (244th) to Saints for 2020 third (88th) and 2021 third.
Analysis: Another trade on paper that made sense at the time. Acquiring a future third to move down 14 spots seemed sound. Berry used the 88th pick on Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott. There was no player of note the Browns passed up. Texas receiver/returner Devin Duvernay was taken 92nd by the Ravens.
Three years later: Elliott’s entering his fourth season and second as a starter. If he doesn’t take a major stride under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, he won’t see a second contract. Duvernay’s a good returner, but not a reliable receiver. The 2021 third was used in the trade-up in 2021 for Owusu-Koramoah.
Bottom line: This can age in the Browns’ favor if Schwartz transforms Elliott into a difference-maker. Otherwise, it’s a wash.
