Darrelle Revis trade rumors have come up since the Buccaneers made it clear they likely will cut him when the league year starts and the Cleveland Browns have emerged as a target, as they are considering a deal to acquire the cornerback and teams like the Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders and Patriots could be options, with New England likely going after him if he is released.
The Browns have stepped up to the plate as a possible option, as they have an extra first round pick after making the Trent Richardson deal and with the Buccaneers asking for two in any deal, that is a move that the team could make. New coach Mike Pettine knows Revis from his days in New York and adding him would automatically make the Browns secondary much better with Revis alongside Joe Haden. Revis comes into this season making $16 million and the Bucs have reportedly said they will cut him without a trade or a restructure of the deal, as Lovie Smith and the new regime did not make the original move and Revis doesn't fit into their defensive scheme.
The Browns have over $45 million in cap space and they could take that hit and it's a move they could make if they can't keep TJ Ward and while he is a safety, just adding Revis to the backfield will help that loss. Revis showed last season he can stay healthy after injuring his ACL the year before and the Jets are hoping for a deal, as that would give them a better draft pick from the Buccaneers in the original deal.
Revis has been shopped by the Buccaneers, but there aren't many teams that can afford him and the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will be prime options if he is released. The Jets would fume if the Pats got Revis, but that's the nature of the business. Revis is likely to be cut if he is not traded and that may keep teams from going after him, but the Browns are in position to make a splash if they want to and trading for Revis would do just that.
The Browns have a top five pick in the draft and a need at quarterback and many have speculated they will take Johnny Manziel or Blake Bortles if they are available. The team could also look at Jadeveon Clowney if he slips and if they make a move for Revis that would alter their draft plans considerably. The Buccaneers have a top 10 pick as well and they could look to take a quarterback, but the Revis moves will happen way before the draft and could change what Smith wants to do.
The 28 year old is arguably the best corner in the league and he has a roster bonus coming and that is why the Buccaneers are looking to make a move. The six-year, $96 million contract extension is too much on the cap for the team and after signing Michael Johnson, they will be looking for some more room. The Patriots have Aqib Talib as a free agent and they will keep their eyes on the Revis moves.