An intriguing trade proposal idea has the Cleveland Browns landing a four-time Pro Bowler to bolster an already prolific offense.
Deshaun Watson will lead a Cleveland offense consisting of star running back Nick Chubb, Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper and standout tight end David Njoku. But what if the Browns added one more explosive play-maker that could help push this offense to another level?
Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine proposed one trade idea for all 32 teams before the start of the 2023 season. For the Atlanta Falcons, Ballentine suggested that they trade Patterson to the Cleveland Browns, noting that the NFC South team has enough play-making running backs:
“The former wide receiver has been the primary pass-catching back. His best season came in 2021 when he saw 69 targets, but that number was cut down to 31 last season.
His pass-catching role isn’t going to return with Robinson on the roster. He caught 60 passes in his three seasons with the Longhorns and his dual-threat ability was a big reason for drafting him that early.
The Falcons would be better off saving $4.3 million and getting something in return for the veteran back. A call to the Browns would make sense. Nick Chubb has never been utilized as the primary pass-catching back, and they only have second-year player Jerome Ford behind him.”
The 32-year-old Patterson has been named to four Pro Bowls in his career while also earning 2010s All-Decade Team honors and four First-team All-Pro nods as a returner. He also holds the record for the most kick return touchdowns with nine.
But Falcons’ head coach Arthur Smith found a way to turn Patterson into a do-it-all playmaker back in 2021. That year, Patterson had 1,166 yards of offense (618 rushing and 548 receiving, both career-highs at the time) to go along with 434 kick return yards.
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With rookie running back Bijan Robinson joining an offense led by Tyler Allgeier, Kyle Pitts and Drake London, however, it remains to be seen how much playing time Patterson will see in Atlanta’s offense. So if he is available for the right price, an offensive-minded head coach like Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland would surely welcome a player like Patterson to his roster.
