There’s undoubtedly a ton of pressure on GM Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski to get the Cleveland Browns back to the playoffs following another disappointing season in 2022.
The Browns finished below .500 and missed out on the postseason for the second year in a row. There’s little denying that upgrades are needed on offense if they’re to compete with the top clubs in the AFC like the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
For one, the Browns could use another play-making pass-catcher to complement veteran Pro Bowler Amari Cooper. The ex-Dallas Cowboys star fared well for the Browns in 2022, recording 78 receptions for 1,160 yards and nine touchdowns.
At Bleacher Report, Alex Ballentine came up with an enticing trade proposal that would see the Browns land another big-named pass-catcher in Brandin Cooks of the Houston Texans. Ballentine proposed Cooks going to Cleveland in exchange for the Browns’ 2023 (No. 99 overall) and 2024 third-round picks:
“Bringing in a legitimate No. 2 receiver who could push Donovan Peoples-Jones to the No. 3 role would be ideal.
Brandin Cooks is a perfect fit. He has an established rapport with Watson. The last time they played together was in 2020, and Cooks posted 1,150 yards and six touchdowns on 81 receptions.
His ability to take the top off defenses fits well with (Nick) Chubb’s hard-nosed running style and Cooper’s precise route running.”
Cooks has been a model of consistency since entering the league as a rookie in 2014, posting six 1,000-yard campaigns over his nine years. He hit that mark with the Texans, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.
