Reality exists, and it’s important to remember that with the Cleveland Browns to start this week. Despite a blowout 31-6 win over the Miami Dolphins, the Browns are still a 2-5 football team that isn’t expected to be in the playoff mix late in the season. A tough start with a difficult schedule was always going to stack a few losses for the Browns right off the bat—and it did just that.
Cleveland still has several winnable games remaining on the schedule. An important date to keep in mind for the Browns is the Nov. 4 trade deadline, when teams will be busy working the phones. Cleveland has already made three trades this season, and they may not be done yet. Despite the win over Miami, there are a few players who stand out as possible trade candidates.
If the Browns make another significant move, it wouldn’t be surprising if it involved Njoku. The rise of Harold Fannin Jr. as arguably the team’s most productive tight end gives Cleveland some flexibility with Njoku, who’s still a very good player in his own right. So far this season, Njoku has 23 catches for 223 yards and a touchdown. The veteran doesn’t quite look like the Pro Bowler he was in 2023, when he finished with 882 receiving yards. Njoku has been dealing with a knee injury that hasn’t landed him on injured reserve, but it’s worth monitoring. He’d be a really nice pickup for a contender.
David Njoku, that's outrageous pic.twitter.com/4N33utjBv8
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) October 5, 2025
Ford’s role on this team couldn’t be clearer: he’s the third-down back. To this point, the Browns haven’t trusted rookie Dylan Sampson in that role, and they may not fully trust Quinshon Judkins to step up in pass protection yet. Ford remains valuable to Cleveland for that reason—and if they decide to keep him, that’ll likely be why. Still, Judkins is clearly the running back of the future, as he showed again on Sunday against Miami with three touchdowns. Ford has had a good run in Cleveland as a former fifth-round pick, but the Browns aren’t likely to bring him back next season.
Harris played well for the Browns on Sunday against the Dolphins, recording three tackles. The veteran defensive tackle has 11 tackles this season as a rotational piece on the interior and remains a solid player at 34 years old. Cleveland’s defensive line is its biggest strength, and it’s not even fully healthy yet. Second-year DT Mike Hall Jr. could make his debut against the New England Patriots in Week 8 after being listed as questionable for the first time against Miami. Once Hall returns, it could open the door for the Browns to trade Harris to a contender. Since Harris is likely to walk after the season, getting a draft pick in return would be a smart move.
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