Trade deadline handbook: six Browns veterans who could be on the move by Tuesday's deadline

Joel Bitonio

Joel Bitonio, 34, is in the midst of his 12th season with the Cleveland Browns, an organization that added him in the second round back in 2014. The mauling offensive guard has been a bright spot on a usually stout offensive line, making it to seven straight Pro Bowls. Going into Sunday's contests, Bitonio hadn't lost a step, as Pro Football Focus ranked him 13th out of 82 qualifying guards.

For Cleveland, his age and his contract situation (an expiring contract at the conclusion of this season) make him a viable trade candidate at this point in time. While plenty of teams can use offensive line help, there are three that stand out above the rest.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have been one of 2025's surprise teams. Coming off a 4-13 season in 2024, few expected them to be in position to be buyers at the deadline with a solid 6-2 record. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye has impressed under Mike Vrabel's coaching staff and has been on a particular tear over the last five weeks.

To keep the good times rolling in New England, perhaps Vrabel will shore up the biggest weakness on the offensive line - left guard - with a player he got to know well when he was working with Cleveland's offensive line in 2024. Jared Wilson, the current starter, presently ranks 64th out of 82 guards, courtesy of PFF.

San Francisco 49ers

By now, NFL fans have come to realize that each season is a war of attrition. No team is spared from the injury bug, but the 49ers appear to have been particularly ravaged this season. Kyle Shanahan worked closely with Bitonio many moons ago when he was the offensive coordinator in Cleveland back in 2014.

Currently, the 49ers have been going with seventh-round rookie Connor Colby at left guard, a position in which he is graded 66th out of 82. As the 49ers continue to win despite injuries, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them supplement a hurting roster at the deadline.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have been one of the league's most enthralling teams to watch this season, their 7-2 record leading the always-difficult AFC West division. It is difficult to find very many weaknesses on the roster, although one can be found opposite Quinn Meinerz on their offensive line. Alex Palczewski is ranked 55th out of 82 guards.

Plugging in Bitonio could be an extra jolt that powers this team into the playoffs and beyond in 2025. This addition could also help the Broncos get off to faster starts, one of the few areas they've been less than stellar in this season.

Maliek Collins

Maliek Collins, 30, is in his first year with the Cleveland Browns. Under the tutelage of Jim Schwartz, he is in the midst of a career renaissance, notching 3.5 sacks and 20 pressures so far this season in addition to elite run defense. Pro Football Focus grades him as the fourth-best interior defensive lineman out of 126 qualifiers.

A free agent addition this season, Collins was signed to a modest two-year contract worth $20 million. At his current level of play, that is a huge bargain. The Browns could benefit from his high value and move him to a team in desperate need of D-Line help for their playoff push.

Baltimore Ravens

The Browns have opened themselves up to the possibility of intra-divisional trades with the Joe Flacco deal, and this trade would make sense for both teams. While the Ravens would be getting better in the interim, it wouldn't hurt the Browns all that much, as Collins is already 30 years old.

The Ravens have a desperate need for defensive line help after losing Nnamdi Madubuike for the season, and could be willing to pay a solid price for a formidable replacement. Currently, they have Brent Urban playing a lion's share of snaps for which he's been graded 101st out of 126 qualifiers. As the team looks to continue their turnaround, this deal would make sense.

Dallas Cowboys

By now, everyone knows how abysmal the Dallas Cowboys' defense is. The Matt Eberflus-led unit currently ranks 31st in points allowed, as the Micah Parsons trade continues to haunt this tormented unit. Enter the all-too-familiar Collins.

Maliek Collins was drafted by the Cowboys back in 2016, and spent the next four seasons there before departing for the Houston Texans. Jerry Jones is obviously familiar with a player who he drafted, and Eberflus was also on staff in Dallas back when Collins was brought to town. If the Cowboys have any intentions of actually fixing their defense, the Browns could benefit from their desperation.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills continue to be one of the AFC's best; they just can't seem to get over that Super Bowl hump. Making that goal harder in 2025 is the recent injury suffered by standout defensive lineman Ed Oliver. While there is some optimism that Oliver could return, the Bills could use some help to catch New England in the AFC East standings.

Adding Maliek Collins as a consistent force on their defensive front would do wonders for a defense that has been good so far this season (ninth in the NFL in points allowed), but suffered a big blow with the loss of Oliver. Collins would help weather the storm until and if, Oliver is able to return.

Jerry Jeudy

Jerry Jeudy, 26, is a little different from his counterparts on this list because he is not an old player by any stretch. He's simply a veteran player who, due to entering the NFL so young, is only 26 despite being in his sixth NFL season. He still won't turn 27 until next April. These would be selling points on a player who has been a bit underwhelming after a breakout 2024 campaign that saw him set career highs in most categories.

The difficult reality with Jeudy is that he's not a star player, and the upcoming 2026 cap crunch will be made tougher by his $10.3 million cap hit. The uneven quarterback situation in Cleveland has also seemed to affect Jeudy's performance - he is ranked the 70th out of 71 wide receivers by Pro Football Focus. That's why it makes the most sense to recoup some draft capital and send him to another team.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers - another division rival - I know, I know. Similar to the Baltimore example, though, this move would make a lot of sense for both teams. The Steelers seem to be all-in on Aaron Rodgers, and they don't have much choice as the 41-year-old nears the end of his rope. They have a desperate need at wide receiver, something amplified each time Rodgers' menacing glare toward one of his teammates is captured on TV cameras.

The trade makes sense from another angle, too. Zach Azzani, the Steelers' WR coach, got to know Jeudy plenty well when he coached the receivers for the Denver Broncos in 2020 and 2021. That connection could theoretically allow Jeudy to acclimate faster, something that would surely appeal to Pittsburgh. Last year, the Steelers made the "all-in" move of acquiring Mike Williams, a trade that they'd likely take back if they could after his modest production in Pittsburgh.

Buffalo Bills

Much of the reasoning for the Bills being in play for Maliek Collins can be said about Jerry Jeudy. Last season, the Bills came calling for Amari Cooper, and the Browns were all too happy to take a third-round draft pick off their hands for the former Alabama star. His contributions in Buffalo were minor, and it would be on the Browns to convince them that this time would be different.

The Bills' offense lacks a true receiver who can separate. When Jameis Winston was at the helm for the Browns, Jeudy proved he could get open for a QB who could get him the rock. The same would be true in Buffalo, where there isn't a spot on the field Josh Allen can't get the ball to. The trade would also make more sense for the Bills because they'd get a lot more usage out of Jeudy, who is under contract through the 2027 season.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have been another surprising team this season. Sitting at 5-4 through nine weeks would surprise many people, Panthers fans included. The key to keeping things going would be the addition of another pass catcher for third-year quarterback Bryce Young. While Young and Jeudy never played together at Bama, they presumably crossed paths in Young's recruitment process.

Tetairoa McMillan has been a gem for the Panthers so far this season, but their other receivers leave something to be desired. In recent weeks, the defense has shown that it may be playoff-caliber. The Panthers' front office could decide that an injection of talent on offense could make them a more complete team. Jerry Jeudy would fit in well, particularly with what they already have on hand in Carolina.

David Njoku

David Njoku, 29, has been the subject of trade rumors for a long time. He is an easy target on the Browns roster due to his age and contract situation, being that he will be due for another lucrative contract at the conclusion of this season. There is an emotional attachment to him as well, as he has spent nine years with Cleveland since being drafted in the first round in 2017.

It is a fair question to ask, though, if a 30-year-old tight end is worth paying big money to when your franchise is at the stage the Browns are in. Adam Schefter specifically dismissed the idea that Njoku could be moved in his piece, but it would make sense for the Browns. The difficulty is in finding a suitable location that could use his services, but there are still a few destinations that make some sense. PFF has also not been fond of Njoku's play thus far, ranking him 38th out of 39 tight ends.

Denver Broncos

There was some hype and excitement when the Broncos swooped in to sign the recently released Evan Engram back in March. Engram was one year removed from a career season in which he nearly reached 1,000 yards and had four touchdowns. It was tantalizing to think what Sean Payton could accomplish with his skill set.

The reality has been that his performance has been graded as the 35th out of 41 tight ends; his 215 yards ranking 28th and his lone touchdown tied for 25th. Perhaps Njoku, a bit of a bigger target than Engram, could help fill that Jimmy Graham role in Denver. The Broncos might just be in their Super Bowl window, and an additional weapon for Bo Nix could turn out to be a meaningful change.

Carolina Panthers

When the season began, it appeared the Panthers were going to have the weakest tight end room in the NFL. To this point, that has been the reality, at least in the eyes of Pro Football Focus. Their primary starter has been Ja'Tavion Sanders, a second-year player out of Texas. PFF has ranked his performance 41st out of 41 qualifiers.

There is no need to repeat the wonders it would do for the Panthers' offense to add a secondary weapon behind Tetairoa McMillan. Njoku possesses the athleticism to threaten teams in the middle of the field and the dependability to become a reliable contributor for a struggling offense that is trying to push for a playoff berth.

Ethan Pocic

Ethan Pocic, 30, would be another viable trade candidate come deadline day. While it does seem like adding a new "quarterback of the O-Line" in the middle of the season would be a difficult thing to pull off, Pocic has done enough in his career to indicate he'd be up for the challenge. Pocic is a nine-year NFL veteran who has started more than 90 games.

At 30 years old, it appears he'd be best suited to help a franchise with a lagging offensive line, rather than a youthful team in the midst of a rebuild. Pocic's departure would also allow the Browns to see what they have in former Buckeye Luke Wypler, who has been largely relegated to the bench thus far in his career. So far this season, PFF ranks Pocic 23rd out of 33 qualifiers.

Los Angeles Chargers

The team that could most desperately use Ethan Pocic would appear to be the Chargers. Their current starter, Bradley Bozeman, is ranked 33rd out of 33 centers by Pro Football Focus. Going into Week 9, Justin Herbert had been the fourth most sacked quarterback in the NFL.

If the Chargers have any hopes of winning a game in the postseason - a feat they have not accomplished in Justin Herbert's career - they ought to protect him. There was a particularly comical lowlight where Bozeman could be heard identifying a defender, only for Herbert to scream "NO!," before he was promptly sacked. This should be a no-brainer for Los Angeles.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings revamped their offensive line going into the 2025 season, signing Will Fries to a massive contract and picking Donovan Jackson in the first round of the draft. They already featured standouts at each tackle spot, but it's the center spot that might need a little help.

Blake Brandel has manned that spot, and PFF has ranked him 31st out of 33 centers. J.J. McCarthy's season has been up and down so far, but he's coming off a big win against the Lions on Sunday. If the Vikings are serious about trying to make a run this year in an extremely tough division, shoring up the offensive line will have the benefit of aiding the run game and pass game.

Houston Texans

The Texans have had a curious season thus far, as C.J. Stroud has been under siege early and often in most of their games. Things just feel off with the team that appeared to be on the cusp of entering their window in 2025. The trade of Laremy Tunsil didn't make much sense when it happened, and it makes less sense now. Nonetheless, it happened.

If the Texans want to save the season and at least attempt to catch the Colts in the AFC South standings, they need to improve in a hurry. The fastest way to the bottom is to get your quarterback injured, the current starter for the Texans, Jake Andrews' ranking (28/33) leaves a lot to be desired. While more than Ethan Pocic will be needed to improve Houston's fortunes, it would be a great start to help Stroud feel comfortable again in the pocket.

Wyatt Teller

Wyatt Teller, 30, is the final trade candidate that we'll focus on in this piece. Teller joined the Browns via trade back in 2019, and what transpired is one of the best moves in Browns history. The change of scenery did wonders for Teller, who went on to make three Pro Bowls for the Browns. He has always been a more-than-solid counterpart to Joel Bitonio, and so far this season, PFF ranks him 32nd out of 82 guards.

Teller is also similar to Bitonio and Pocic in that he is not under contract beyond this season. If, as with most players, his best years are behind him as he passes the big "thirty" milestone, it would be best for the Browns to receive draft pick compensation that will become a player who can help in the future - while Teller gets to go to a team where he can experience team success now and in the near future.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have suffered through a litany of injuries across their offensive line. Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch were both lost for the year, and the depth pieces that have replaced them have struggled to stay healthy as well. The Buccaneers would benefit greatly from adding someone like Wyatt Teller to their lineup.

Current starter Luke Haggard is not only battling injury, but he has struggled when he has played - to the tune of 61st out of 82 ranking by PFF. The Buccaneers had been rolling up until two weeks ago, when a difficult game against the Lions may have made them reconsider the present construction of the roster being the final one for 2025.

Seattle Seahawks

If Sunday night's thorough demolition of the Washington Commanders was any indication, the Seahawks are for real. One of the surprises of the season is just how dominant the Seahawks have looked thus far. A rare weak spot on their team is at the right guard spot.

Seattle has done an admirable job rebuilding their offensive line into a formidable unit. What has been a weak spot for seemingly a decade has turned into a source of pride and strength. Teller would only improve a unit that has already proven strong. Anthony Bradford, the team's current right guard, is ranked 75th out of 82 guards. They seem to be fine either way, but adding Teller would indicate this team is going for it this year.

Baltimore Ravens

Finally, a team that could really use a quality right guard is the Baltimore Ravens. By now, everyone knows that the Ravens are one of the most run-heavy teams in the league. That starts up front, and while the Ravens frequently have one of the best lines in the NFL, it doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, especially for a team that has no interest in wasting a year of Lamar Jackson's prime.

The mammoth of a human who mans the right guard spot for the Ravens, Daniel Faalele, has struggled a bit in the analysis of PFF (48th out of 82 guards). Wyatt Teller would help this team sharpen their rush attack as they attempt to dig themselves out of a 1-5 hole. Add in the fact that offensive coordinator Todd Monken worked closely with Teller when he held the same position in Cleveland, and you might find him pounding the table for one of these old linemen.