The Cleveland Browns came into the 2023 offseason with a few specific needs. They wasted very little time in addressing some of them. The first big hole that they filled was in the trenches on the defensive line.
Myles Garrett is one of the best edge rushers in the league, but his impact is minimized by how unproductive the rest of the line was. The defensive tackle spots were especially underwhelming, which led to the team agreeing to a deal with Dalvin Tomlinson.
With their biggest need defensively addressed, the team should turn their attention to the offensive side of the ball. They are certainly hopeful that Deshaun Watson will be better this season as he looked rusty and out of rhythm during his appearances at the end of the 2022 season.
One way to get him more comfortable is to improve the weapons around him. Amari Cooper continues producing like a No. 1 receiver and Donovan Peoples-Jones put together a very solid season. Beyond those two, there isn’t much else to rely on at the wide receiver position.
Bringing in a third option for the position would go a long way. David Bell and Anthony Schwartz failed to produce much last season and an upgrade is necessary. One player who could make for an intriguing trade target for Cleveland is Elijah Moore of the New York Jets.
Moore requested a trade from the Jets last season but it was not fulfilled. He was unhappy with his usage and role in the offense and things aren’t likely to change now that the Jets have signed Allen Lazard in free agency and could be looking at Randall Cobb and Odell Beckham Jr. as well to appease Aaron Rodgers.
A change of scenery could be best for the 2021 second-round rounder out of Ole Miss. The Browns would be able to present him with a larger role in the offense as there is certainly a void at the third wide receiver position.
What would it cost to acquire Moore? A suggested trade package would be a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, No. 89 overall, in exchange for him. Given how expensive things are going to get for the Jets if they acquire Rodgers, adding affordable depth with a Day 2 pick would be a nice pickup.
There no longer seems to be a fit in New York for Moore, so exchanging him for that sort of value would be seen as a win. For the Browns, Moore would present a big-play weapon that wants to prove he should have a bigger role. There is certainly a void behind Cooper and Peoples-Jones and he is more than capable of filling it.
