The Browns came and went through the trade deadline without making a move, and that was a little out of character for Andrew Berry. He usually likes to work the board, but this time nothing got across the finish line.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Cleveland spent time trying to land both a blocking tight end and a pass-rusher. The Browns were said to be close on a deal, but in the end, no trade materialized.
That leaves the tight end situation unresolved, and the options there are thin. Harold Fannin Jr. isn’t here to block, and Cleveland’s shuffle at the position has been underwhelming at best. Still, the defense may be where the Browns can do something about the issue without waiting for help to appear in-house.
Two veteran pass rushers remain on the market: Leonard Floyd and Haason Reddick. Both have enough on their resumes to make them worth a look.
Reddick, 32, is three years removed from back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, and he notched over 50 snaps over a four-year span from 2020 to 2023. Floyd is 34, but he still put up 3.5 sacks and 11 QB hits with the Falcons last year, and he has 70 total sacks over a 10-year career.
Cleveland was never going to swing for Maxx Crosby, and even a more modest move for Khalil Mack was never really in the cards. Jadeveon Clowney would have made sense too, if the Houston Texans had lost in Week 9.
The bigger issue is that the Browns are suddenly looking very light along the front seven. What happens if Mason Graham gets hurt again? Who steps in if Jared Verse keeps struggling?
There’s also a fair argument that the Browns can live with the tight end room they have, even if it’s not ideal. The same can’t be said for the defense.
Mike Rutenberg’s unit has slipped over the last four games, giving up more yards each week. Some of that comes from opponents adjusting to Cleveland’s man-heavy looks and simulated pressures, but the pass rush still has to finish plays.
Verse has taken plenty of heat from Browns fans, and he hasn’t been nearly as good as advertised. But he’s not the only reason the defense has sagged.
This game is always about matching pieces to the opponent, and right now Cleveland could use a few more of the right ones. Berry didn’t patch things up at the deadline, but there are still veterans available who could give the Browns some much-needed depth and juice on defense.
In Other News...
Browns Week 10 Suddenly Has A Travel Problem Fans Need To Watch
Fridays FAA ground stop on all outgoing flights created a travel headache that could ripple into the NFL weekend, with widespread cancellations and delays threatening to throw off team plans. For the Browns and anyone else watching Week 10 unfold, the issue is less about the scoreboard than the logistics, since visiting clubs and league personnel may have to adjust quickly just to get where they need to be.
The Houston Texans are among the teams that could feel the effects most directly, and game officials could face similar problems reaching their destinations on time. Even when the football itself stays on schedule, disruptions like this can complicate preparation, alter routines and add an extra layer of uncertainty to a weekend that already has enough to manage. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Suddenly Have A New Week 10 Problem Against Houston
The Browns had to shuffle their tight end room again this week, signing Carsen Ryan to the active roster and elevating Zaire Mitchell-Paden from the practice squad as they prepare for Houston. Cleveland also placed fullback Michael Burton on injured reserve because of a calf injury, which will keep him out for at least four games and takes another piece out of the mix as the team tries to sort through its short-yardage and blocking options.
It is another reminder of how quickly the margins can change in November, especially for a Browns offense that has already had to adjust around injuries and roster churn. Houston, meanwhile, is dealing with its own availability issues, ruling out running back David Montgomery and cornerback Jaylin Smith while making several roster activations and elevations, so both teams are heading into Week 10 with a few moving parts still to settle. [Read more 🡒]
Browns Rookie May Be Changing A Problem Spot Faster Than Expected
The Browns have spent plenty of time searching for stability up front, and the early returns on their rookie tackles have given the staff a reason to believe the problem spot may not stay a problem for long. Veteran Tytus Howard has had his struggles, but Austin Barber and Spencer Fano have both shown encouraging development as Cleveland keeps sorting through the best answers on the offensive line.
Head coach Todd Monken pointed to Fanos mental toughness and his ability to adapt while learning left tackle in the NFL, two traits that matter as much as raw talent in a room that has needed both. Fano has already climbed to 17th out of 71 offensive tackles in overall Pro Football Focus grade, and with the Browns preparing for the Houston Texans, the expectation is that he keeps trending upward as the workload and the spotlight get bigger. [Read more 🡒]