The Cleveland Browns move to sign a wide receiver ahead of the trade deadline.

Browns’ Trade Deadline Plans Include Adding WR

According to a recent rumor, the Cleveland Browns are looking for a wide receiver ahead of the trade deadline.

With the October 31 trade deadline approaching, Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed that the Browns are looking at ways to improve their wide receiver group. She included the Browns in her most recent trade deadline report.

“The Baltimore Ravens are looking to add a running back, the Cleveland Browns are looking to add a receiver and the Buffalo Bills are scanning the cornerback market,” Russini said in a statement.

Russini was not specific on potential targets but it would make sense for the Browns to trade for a player who can elevate the No. 2 spot opposite of Amari Cooper.

Cooper and new addition Elijah Moore have combined for 49 catches but the Browns are not getting much out of the rest of the roster. Donovan Peoples-Jones — who is listed on the depth chart as a starter — is the third-leading wide receiver on the team with just eight catches for 97 yards.

Cleveland has averaged just 171.7 passing yards per game, which is the second-worst figure in the league. Much of that is due to Deshaun Watson not being healthy and missing the better part of the last three games. And Watson will not play on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Jerry Jeudy, DeAndre Hopkins Potential Browns Trade Options
There are some very interesting options that are seemingly available at the trade deadline. Two premier targets are familiar names — Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy and Tennessee Titans veteran DeAndre Hopkins.

Jeudy is a former first-round pick but could benefit significantly from a change of scenery. He’s coming off a career season where he notched 972 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 67 receptions. However, Jeudy hasn’t been able to replicate much of that this season. He’s averaging just 47.7 receiving yards per game.

Hopkins is 31 years old and comes to the table with a decorated resume that includes five All-Pro nods and five Pro Bowl selections. Hopkins leads the Titans with 27 catches for 376 yards but has yet to find the end zone.

The draw with Hopkins is his chemistry with Watson. During their time in Houston together, Hopkins caught 256 passes from Watson for 3,119 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Browns Banking on Deshaun Watson Getting Healthy

Adding weapons to the passing game may be pointless if Watson cannot get healthy. He is currently suffering from a rotator cuff issue.

Watson missed two games against the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, but returned to the field last week against the Indianapolis Colts. He was forced to leave the game in the first quarter after taking a big hit and landing on his damaged shoulder.

The Browns concluded that Watson should spend this week mending his shoulder rather than returning. Watson was 1-of-5 for 5 yards with an interception before the scare against the Colts.

Cleveland may decide to make a trade for a more capable backup quarterback before the trade deadline. PJ Walker is the Browns’ current backup, but the team will need more from him if Watson is out for an extended period of time or if the ailment persists. Walker has completed 50% of his throws and thrown three interceptions.