One of the goals that the Cleveland Browns had this offseason was reshaping the skill position groups around quarterback Deshaun Watson. The wide receiver position was the main focus as the Browns revamped the depth behind Amari Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones.
Elijah Moore was acquired from the New York Jets in a trade and should operate as their No. 3. Marquise Goodwin was signed in free agency, bringing a much-needed speed element to the offense. To round things out, Cedric Tillman out of Tennessee was picked in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
In addition to the wide receiver changes, the Browns also signed tight end Jordan Akins in free agency. Akins should help bring a level of comfortability to Watson, as the two were teammates with the Houston Texans.
Akins looks to be the No. 2 tight end behind David Njoku, who the team signed to a four-year, $54.75 million deal in the 2022 offseason. With those two in the fold, it clouds the future of Harris Bryant.
Bryant, a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic hasn’t quite lived up to expectations with the Browns. But, it isn’t his own doing as Cleveland hasn’t given him many chances to produce. He has made the most of the opportunities he has had, catching 76 out of 108 targets for 710 yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons.
With a long-term future likely not in Cleveland, a change in scenery would do him some good. Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report suggested that the Browns trade him, with the Washington Commanders being a potential landing spot.
The current Commanders depth chart has 32-year-old, injury-prone Logan Thomas atop it with John Bates as his backup. Thomas, a converted quarterback, has carved out an excellent career after a position change but doesn’t offer much long-term for a Commanders team turning things over to 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell.
Bryant also possesses more upside than Bates has shown in his two seasons in the NFL. With Eric Bieniemy taking over as Washington’s offensive coordinator, adding some more weapons to the mix such as Bryant certainly isn’t a bad idea.
What could the Browns look to get in exchange for Bryant? Ballentine suggested a 2024 sixth-round pick as compensation. While that may not seem like much, it is likely more than Bryant signing a contract elsewhere would net Cleveland in the compensatory equation in Ballentine’s opinion.
