The Cleveland Browns love to pull off trades. The team is entering a crucial rebuilding year, in need of help across the board. Loaded up with 10 draft picks including two in the first round, two in the third round and two in the fourth round, the Browns have a lot of flexibility. Already targeting a quarterback in the first round and possibly later, could one pick be used to acquire DeSean Jackson?
Jackson's future is as vague as ever. One minute he is leaving Philadelphia and the next he is texting teammates saying he is staying. Head coach Chip Kelly tells the media that he supports Jackson and that the wide receiver is under contract, but he also wants to do what is best for the team. Naturally, teams are still inquiring about Jackson's price tag even if the Eagles are not totally committed to dealing him. According to NFL.com, all it could take is a third-round draft pick to get the prolific receiver.
ESPN.com reporter Field Yates is reporting the Browns are putting themselves in the running to land Jackson if the receiver is officially available for trading. Philadelphia is coy on the idea, but Cleveland could come in with a second-round draft pick that might win the team over. So far, the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets have been mentioned in the Jackson sweepstakes, but the Browns have the better offer.
Cleveland needs a wide receiver. Right now the team has Jordan Cameron, Josh Gordon and Andrew Hawkins as their leading catchers. Head coach Mike Pettine stated to the media on Wednesday that the Browns were looking at all positions, but they were keeping a close eye on the wide receivers. The team would love to add Jackson to their arsenal to assist whoever the quarterback ends up being.
The Browns are penciled in to land either Johnny Manziel, Blake Bortles or Teddy Bridgewater with their first pick. Trading a pick for Jackson would allow them to focus on the offensive line with their other first-round pick and then target defensive stars in later rounds while also possibly picking up another quarterback.
Cleveland has the assets that make this trade sensible. Being loaded up with plenty of early draft picks helps in marquee deals and the Browns could easily make one soon.