The Browns have spent the first eight weeks proving the doubters wrong, and at 5-3 they’re in position to keep pushing rather than simply coast through the back half of the schedule. A win in Week 9 could nudge Cleveland toward buyer mode ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, even if general manager Andrew Berry is unlikely to chase a blockbuster move.
That leaves the Browns looking for practical upgrades, especially where the roster still feels thin. And with New Orleans coming to town, there are three Saints players Cleveland should have its eyes on Sunday.
Tight end remains one of the clearest areas to watch. Harold Fannin Jr. has carried over his strong rookie season, but the Browns have cycled through options beside him and haven’t gotten much back.
Juwan Johnson fits the profile of a movable piece: a converted wide receiver with the kind of yards-after-the-catch juice that can turn a simple throw into something bigger. He hasn’t matched his breakout production from the 2025 season, which could make him available.
Johnson would give Cleveland another big target and a red-zone mismatch, though his game has never been built around the kind of blocking the Browns need most.
Noah Fant brings a different flavor, but the same basic appeal as a pass-catching tight end. He’s not exactly a force in the run game, despite his size, yet his athleticism and catch radius keep him dangerous downfield and near the goal line.
He can separate with quickness and elusiveness, and that kind of movement skill would fit well in Monken’s offense. Still, if Cleveland is shopping for tight end help, a blocking specialist would make more sense on paper.
The other Saints name worth tracking is Carl Granderson, who could help a Browns defense that has been excellent in coverage and as a pass-rushing unit, but less reliable when it comes to shutting down the run. Even with Myles Garrett out, Cleveland’s pass rush has held up, though the depth behind it has been an issue and Jared Verse hasn’t produced much through eight games in the numbers department.
Granderson has been one of the few bright spots on Kellen Moore’s defense this season. He can disappear at times, but he’s a solid run-stopping edge rusher and would fit as a useful addition to Cleveland’s defensive end rotation in obvious run situations.
In Other News...
Browns Face Trade Deadline Pressure After Garrett Deal Disappointment
The Browns spent the offseason making a bold move when they sent Myles Garrett to the Rams and brought back Jared Verse, betting that the change would keep their pass rush dangerous. Eight games into the season, though, Verse still has not registered a sack, and that has only sharpened the scrutiny on a trade that already carried plenty of risk for Cleveland.
With the deadline approaching, attention has started to shift toward Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu as a possible answer. He has been productive this season and is under contract through 2027, which makes him the kind of player who could fit a longer-term plan as well as a short-term fix, but whether the Browns can actually get involved in that market is the question hanging over the next few days. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Keep Sending A Troubling Message About Their Offensive Line
The Browns are still shuffling the back end of their offensive line, signing guard Austin Blaske and tackle Xavier Truss to the practice squad while moving on from tackle Andrew Coker and guard Vershon Lee. It is the latest sign that Cleveland is still searching for the right mix of bodies behind its starters as the team tries to stabilize a group that has been under constant pressure.
With the Browns leading the league in sacks allowed, every tweak to the depth chart carries a little more weight than usual. The front office and coaching staff are clearly still evaluating what works and what does not, and these moves suggest the line remains very much a work in progress as Cleveland looks for better answers up front. [Read more 🡒]
Shedeur Sanders Just Added Real Heat To Browns Saints
Shedeur Sanders has already given the Browns-Saints matchup a little extra edge before a snap is played. The Cleveland quarterbacks recent comments drew a response from New Orleans defensive end Carl Granderson, who made it clear the Saints will have added motivation when the teams meet in Week 9, with Sanders expected to start for Cleveland.
It is the kind of setup that fits neatly into the old bulletin-board material conversation, where a few words can linger long enough to shape the mood around a game. For the Browns, it adds another layer to a matchup that was already going to draw attention because of Sanders first start, and now it comes with a little more bite on the other sideline. [Read more 🡒]