Cleveland Browns: Trent Williams trade should be in mind
The Cleveland Browns biggest question may be on the offensive line but a Trent Williams trade could solve that issue in a big way.
After an offseason for the ages and coming off of a season that truly seemed to signal the start of a franchise turnaround, the Cleveland Browns are highly optimistic about the 2019 season. They are favorites to win the AFC North on the shoulders of a Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham Jr. led offense and the Myles Garrett anchored defense.
Despite how dramatically the Browns have improved, though, there are two areas of concern about this team. For one, they need more depth at defensive tackle. That’s why the Browns have been invested in trying to sign free agents like Gerald McCoy and Mike Daniels after they were cut. The other area of concern, though, is on the offensive line.
Since Joe Thomas retired prior to the 2018 season, the Browns have been searching for consistent answers, specifically in regards to left tackle. As of right now, it appears that Greg Robinson, who signed off the street last year and played admirably enough to earn a new deal with Cleveland, will man that position. However, Cleveland would love to upgrade and provide themselves with more depth there.
Lucky for the Browns, they could have the possibility to do that, albeit in a somewhat risky manner. Put simply, general manager John Dorsey could pursue a trade for Trent Williams.
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Throughout his time with the Washington Redskins since being the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft, Williams has proven to be a stalwart left tackle when healthy. However, coming off an injury and seeking a lucrative new contract, the tackle is now holding out at Washington training camp. And, per a report from Jason La Canfora, the big lineman’s relationship with the team is irreparable.
Language like that seems to lend itself to the notion that Williams could be on his way out of Washington sooner rather than later. And if they are motivated to move him, the Browns should be more than willing to oblige them.
Not only do the Browns still have immediate cap space to take on a sizable contract but Dorsey has the smarts to work out a contract to lock up Williams and keep him under the cap for the next few seasons as well. That would certainly make an offense loaded with weapons and a young quarterback in Mayfield clicking in a major way, having that type of protection on the blindside.
Even better for Cleveland is the fact that, at this point, it seems that the Redskins have little to no leverage in regards to Williams. If he truly is just done with the organization, then Washington will have to be in a position to take what they can get in a potential trade. That means the Browns could get a new franchise left tackle for pennies on the dollar, which would be ideal — at least until they sign him to a new deal.
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While it’s certainly going to be complicated to negotiate with Williams long-term, landing him in a trade for at least 2019 makes too much sense. This is a team that, if they mature in the right ways, could compete for a Super Bowl. And if they can answer one of the few glaring weaknesses with one move, it’s hard to argue against making that move.