Andrew Berry already pulled off one sharp defensive move last October, and the Browns may have another opening to exploit before the season gets here.
That earlier deal sent Greg Newsome II and his expiring contract to Jacksonville for Tyson Campbell and a late-round pick swap, giving Cleveland a more natural boundary corner to line up with Denzel Ward. Just as important, the Browns now have that duo under contract through at least the 2027 season.
What Cleveland still doesn’t have on its 90-man training camp roster is a clear answer at nickel corner. That leaves Berry with a familiar kind of summer question: stay patient, or go shopping again.
Kenny Moore II has been the most talked-about name. The former Pro Bowler was released by the Colts in May after Indianapolis first tried to trade him and couldn’t find a partner. That history makes it fair to wonder whether there’s even a match there for the Browns.
A more intriguing path may be sitting in the AFC West.
Denver has a cornerback logjam, and Ja'Quan McMillian is the kind of player who can get squeezed by it. He’s an undrafted success story who has grown into a starter, but he’s also in a tricky spot with the Broncos.
He’s set to play the 2026 season on a non-guaranteed, $5.7 million restricted free agent tender, and Denver already used a first-round pick on Jahdae Barron last year. Barron is entering Year 2 and looks ready for more snaps.
Sean Payton clearly values McMillian, but the Broncos’ decision to place a second-round tender on him this spring says plenty. If the price is right, Denver would listen.
That’s where Cleveland comes in.
The Browns have built up plenty of draft ammunition. Since the 2025 draft, they’ve added 17 players. They also own 11 picks so far for the 2027 draft, including two first-rounders, plus an extra second-rounder in 2028 from the Rams in the Myles Garrett trade.
That 2028 second-round pick could be the cleanest way to start a conversation.
It’s not common for teams to move a premium pick for a former undrafted player, but McMillian has earned that kind of attention. Over the last three seasons, he has played more than 2,000 snaps in the slot for Denver, according to Pro Football Focus.
In 2025, he posted two interceptions, including a pick-six, along with nine pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He also cut down on the penalty problems that showed up in 2024, when he set a career high with 61 solo tackles.
For Cleveland, the fit is obvious. McMillian is entering his age-26 season and is close to the kind of prime that could justify a deal in the neighborhood of $11 million per year, similar to the contract Marcus Jones signed with the Patriots in 2025. He would be a clear upgrade over Myles Harden and the other names currently competing for the slot job.
The Browns could always wait and try to solve nickel in the 2027 draft or free agency. But there’s still a 2026 season to play, and the slot looks like the one soft spot on what should be another strong Cleveland defense, even without Garrett.
Maybe Payton keeps McMillian. Maybe Denver decides it wants to hold onto one of its young defensive pieces. But until that happens, the door is open.
Berry should be on the phone. With Denver’s depth and Cleveland’s need, this one makes too much sense to ignore.
In Other News...
Browns Fans Just Got A Striking New Sign On Draft Day Choice
The Browns draft-night posture said plenty about where this franchise is right now. With the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Cleveland passed on the quarterback conversation and went with left tackle Spencer Fano, continuing a pattern of caution around the games most important position. It was the kind of move that tells you the Browns are still looking to build the right foundation before forcing a long-term answer under center.
Ty Simpsons slide through the early part of the draft only sharpened the debate around how teams evaluated him, and Clevelands choice added another layer to that picture. The Browns have been careful about taking a quarterback unless the entire organization is aligned on the move, and this selection fit that approach. For fans hoping the draft would finally deliver a fresh start at quarterback, the message was more about patience than a quick fix. [Read more 🡒]
Deshaun Watson Isnt The Only Browns Contract Fans Should Be Worried About
Deshaun Watsons fully guaranteed $230 million contract has long been the obvious anchor around the Browns cap picture, but it is not the only deal that could leave the front office paying premium prices for less-than-premium production. Clevelands books have been shaped by that quarterback commitment for years, and the team is still sorting through the ripple effects of spending big on players whose value has not always matched the number attached to their name.
Tyson Campbell and Zion Johnson are the other contracts that stand out as the Browns evaluate where the roster is headed next. Campbell is set to make top-15 cornerback money, while Johnson is lined up among the highest-paid left guards, and both situations raise the same question Cleveland has been forced to ask more than once: is the team paying for upside, or paying past it? The good news for the Browns is that the financial picture should ease after this season, even if the Watson deal continues to cast a shadow for a while longer. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Still Has Denzel Ward Among The NFLs Best Corners
ESPNs latest positional rankings offered another reminder that Denzel Ward still belongs in the conversation with the NFLs best cornerbacks, even if the Browns veteran no longer sits as high as he once did. Ward remains one of the leagues more respected cover men thanks to his speed and steady play, a reputation that has helped him stay on the radar even as Clevelands roster has gone through plenty of change and the team has dealt with the fallout from the Myles Garrett trade.
Wards place in the rankings has taken a hit compared with where he stood a year ago, and there is some sense that the Browns recent struggles have played a role in how voters view him. Even so, the broader picture around Cleveland is not one of a teardown, with Andrew Berry not signaling a fire sale and Ward expected to stay put, leaving the Browns with one of the more recognizable defensive backs in the AFC. [Read more 🡒]