The Browns have put themselves in a strong spot early, and that makes the next move even more interesting. Cleveland is sitting atop the AFC North at 3-1, and with a roster that already has plenty of talent, the front office has a chance to sharpen the edges before the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline.
One name that keeps popping up is Marvin Harrison Jr. His situation in Arizona looks increasingly unsettled, and the numbers tell the story. Trey McBride has become the focal point of that offense, piling up 46 targets, 242 yards and two touchdowns to start the year, while Harrison Jr. has managed just 13 targets, 85 yards and one touchdown.
That kind of role is a far cry from what he delivered in 2024 and 2025, when he combined for 1,493 yards and 12 scores. His best stretch came as a rookie, but unless something changes, it’s hard to see him matching that level in Arizona.
If Cleveland decides to move on from Jerry Jeudy, Harrison Jr. could be the kind of swing worth making. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, and at 24 years old, he would bring a big-bodied presence back to the Buckeye State. He’d also land in a young offense alongside wideouts Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, giving the Browns another piece with real long-term upside.
The other possible fit is on the defensive side, where Washington’s Daron Payne could become available. The Commanders are 1-3 after losing starting quarterback Jayden Daniels early in the season, and the results have been rough: just 88 points scored and 122 allowed.
Payne, a one-time Pro Bowler, has posted eight tackles, zero for a loss, three quarterback hits and 12 pressures. The production hasn’t jumped off the page, but the pressure is there, and the question is whether Washington wants to keep waiting for it to turn into bigger numbers.
For Cleveland, the fit makes sense. The Browns are looking to establish a No. 2 next to Mason Graham, and Payne could even help cover for Graham after the injury he suffered in the Thursday night win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Payne is 29 and wants a long-term extension, which gives the Browns another potential reason to make the move if Washington decides to reset at the deadline.
There’s also the possibility that Jeudy is the piece on the way out no matter what Cleveland does. The Browns have leaned into younger receivers, with rookies JC Concepcion and Denzel Boston already earning a big share of the targets. Harold Fannin Jr., the entire running back room and Isaiah Bond have all seen more chances through the first four games as well.
Jeudy’s role has shrunk to just eight targets, five catches and 62 yards. He’s only 27, but the fit looks off, and the Browns’ future plans seem to be pointing elsewhere. Moving him would open more room for the young players the team wants to develop, and it would also clear cap space, which only adds to the appeal.
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Browns' Hot Start Is Creating A New Draft Pick Problem
Clevelands 3-1 start has the Browns thinking more about the AFC playoff picture than about the spring, but it has also made their draft situation a little trickier to map out. After Week 4, the Browns are holding the 18th and 22nd picks in the 2027 NFL draft, including the first-rounder they acquired from the Los Angeles Rams, a setup that reflects how different things look when a team is winning games instead of chasing premium draft position.
It is a good problem to have, of course, and one that comes with the usual tradeoffs. A fast start changes the conversation around the roster, the standings and even the value of future assets, especially with injuries and recent results reshaping the league order each week. For Cleveland, the focus remains on the next stretch of the schedule, but the long view is already getting a little more complicated than it was a month ago. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Have A Chance To Silence One Doubt Before It Gets Bigger
The Browns have a chance this week to quiet a concern that has hung around them for a while, and the timing could hardly be better. Sitting tied for first place in the AFC North, Cleveland heads to face a Jets team mired in a losing streak, with a road matchup that could help the Browns build momentum before a much bigger home date with the Ravens.
There is still enough uncertainty around how this team will look in the biggest moments, from the quarterback decision to how consistently the players and coaches have answered recent challenges. A win in New York would not solve everything, but it would go a long way toward showing the Browns can handle a game they are supposed to win before the pressure rises again next week. [Read more 🡒]
Browns May Already Have A Backfield Spark They Can't Ignore
The Browns have spent the first month looking for more life in the run game, and the numbers have not been kind. Through four games, Cleveland is averaging 93.8 rushing yards per game, a mark that leaves the offense sitting 25th in the league and searching for a spark behind a ground attack that has too often stalled out.
Jaleel McLaughlin may have given them a reason to keep looking his way. With Dylan Sampson dealing with injuries, McLaughlin has earned more chances and flashed against the Steelers with a 28-yard touchdown run, while Quinshon Judkins has shouldered the bulk of the work without much efficiency. McLaughlin could fit as a change-of-pace option, and if that role keeps growing, the Browns may already have a backfield wrinkle worth leaning into. [Read more 🡒]