NFL insider reveals the Cleveland Browns may be getting ready to surprise a lot of people with how they act at the trade deadline

The Cleveland Browns are coming off a much-needed bye week that they entered with a 2-6 record. There hasn’t been much to celebrate for the Browns this season — they are what they are: a team with a really bad offense and a really good defense.

Cleveland won't win many games with its bad offense, so it is widely expected to sell at the trade deadline.

However, it turns out the Browns may actually be looking to add players instead. Cleveland has made three trades this season, and none of them were true “wave the white flag” moves. The Browns valued Tyson Campbell and his contract over Greg Newsome, while Joe Flacco’s time in Cleveland had run its course — moving him was simply doing right by him. Cleveland’s first move of the season was adding offensive tackle Cam Robinson from the Houston Texans.

Browns expected to add at the trade deadline

“Though Cleveland already has completed three trades in the past month — acquiring offensive tackle Cam Robinson, sending quarterback Joe Flacco to Cincinnati, and swapping cornerbacks with Jacksonville — most sources believe that the Browns will be aggressive in acquiring players before the deadline,” Adam Schefter wrote recently.

Cleveland adding players on contracts that fit its future is smart. Offensive line help and wide receivers are the two areas that make the most sense for the Browns to address. The team is down starting OT Dawand Jones for the season, and Jack Conklin isn’t getting any younger on the right side. There’s a good chance the Browns will overhaul much of their offensive line this offseason.

Finding trade pieces along the offensive line doesn’t happen often because there simply aren’t many good offensive linemen available. Adding a player with untapped potential on a rookie contract could be the way to go. If Cleveland wants to add a wideout, that could be an easier route.

Think of moves like the Jarvis Landry, Amari Cooper, or (to a lesser extent) Jerry Jeudy trades. These were offseason moves, but it could be the kind of trade the Browns are looking for.

There are a few players the Browns could move if they decide — TE David Njoku, RB Jerome Ford, and DT Shelby Harris all make sense. But with Schefter’s report out there, don’t be surprised if the Browns actually go shopping instead of selling before Tuesday’s deadline.

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