The Cleveland Browns are 2-2 and are very much in contention for a playoff spot. They had a bye in Week 5 and will take on the undefeated San Francisco 49ers next Sunday.
The problem for the Browns—other than the fact that they have to play the 49ers—is that they are housed in a very competitive AFC North division.
The Baltimore Ravens seemed to be the cream of the crop going into this past weekend, but they were upset by the surprising Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams are 3-2.
Then you have the Cincinnati Bengals who are just 2-3 but are coming off of a blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals in which Joe Burrow looked a heck of a lot healthier.
Basically, Cleveland is in for an uphill battle, and it may need to address some issues if it wants to ensure that it contends for a postseason berth.
One spot in which the Browns need help is their backfield.
That was an area of strength going into the season, as Cleveland boasted one of the NFL’s best running backs in Nick Chubb. However, a knee injury in Week 2 ended Chubb’s season, leaving the Browns scrambling to find a replacement. They did bring back Kareem Hunt, but he has been largely ineffective thus far and is clearly not the same player he was years ago.
Could the Browns try and make a trade for Las Vegas Raiders halfback Josh Jacobs?
Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report thinks so.
Jacobs could be a potential trade candidate ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL deadline, and bringing him aboard would certainly take the sting out of losing Chubb for the Browns.
Let’s say the Raiders lose to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night and fall to 1-4. Suddenly, Jacobs, who will be a free agent at season’s end, becomes a legitimate trade piece.
The Browns should jump at the opportunity if Jacobs does indeed become available, as he would instantly transform their offense and make Deshaun Watson’s job a heck of a lot easier.
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