Despite all of the challenges they have faced this season, the Cleveland Browns are right in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC. With a 4-2 record, they are certainly still alive for the AFC North lead and in an excellent position to lock down a Wild Card spot. But, there is still plenty of work to do for them to remain there.
The Browns currently possess arguably the best defense in the NFL. The hiring of Jim Schwartz to take over on that side of the ball has been a home run as they are exceeding all expectations that were placed on them.
That unit is good enough to help the Browns contend for a championship. But, if they want to have a realistic shot at the Lombardi Trophy, the offense needs some work.
Figuring things out with quarterback Deshaun Watson is the No. 1 thing on their to-do list. If he isn’t healthy, exploring the quarterback market could be an option as their ceiling is low with P.J. Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson as their backup options.
Their issues offensively wouldn’t be as dire had they not suffered multiple losses in their backfield. Nick Chubb was lost for the season because of a knee injury in Week 2 and his replacement, Jerome Ford, suffered a high-ankle sprain last week.
With only Kareem Hunt and Pierre Strong Jr. on the roster, the Browns need to scour the league and free agency for some help. One player who would certainly fit the bill is Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans. That is one deal Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated has suggested he wants to see done ahead of the deadline.
“The Browns’ time to win is now. Whether Deshaun Watson wants to come for that ride is up to him. Cleveland doesn’t have a first-round pick in this upcoming draft, and, while the focus should be on fortifying the running game beyond the Nick Chubb years, Henry would be a quick solution to a pressing need. Cleveland cannot win games without completely overstressing its opponents at the line of scrimmage. Depending on what Watson does, the need for ancillary pieces who can diversify their game plan are pressing. Actually, that’s true whether or not Watson is playing and healthy.”
What could a deal between Cleveland and Tennessee look like? Orr suggested that the Browns send 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Titans for their star running back.
Seemingly on the verge of being sellers, the Titans could part ways with Henry for the right deal. Getting back two draft picks for a running back, especially one on an expiring deal, would be a nice haul for Tennessee.
If the Browns can pull off a deal like that one, Henry is capable of replicating the same kind of production that Chubb has provided in the past. An acquisition of that caliber could put them on track to be contenders if Watson can return healthy and provide the team with an average level of play under center.
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