Browns predicted to acquire Eagles’ $96 million trade candidate to help Shedeur Sanders originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Regardless of who starts at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns next year, the franchise must upgrade its receiving core to give its No. 1 signal caller a legitimate chance to succeed.

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It’s likely Shedeur Sanders gets the nod to begin the year, and in Fansided’s Wynston Wilcox’s opinion, the Browns could acquire the Philadelphia Eagles’ 28-year-old trade candidate to assist Sanders in 2026-27.

“If there’s one team that has no problem signing problematic players, it’s the Cleveland Browns,” Wilcox wrote last Thursday. “In Cleveland, yes, (A.J.) Brown wouldn’t be with a contender whatsoever, but he’d be the No. 1 target on this offense.

“As of now, Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are duking it out for the starting job. This offense desperately needs a No. 1 receiver, and Brown would have no competition for sharing the ball.”

“Sure, Harold Fannin Jr. will yield a bigger role in the offense in 2026, but that receiver room is putrid. Adding Brown doesn’t solve all their problems, but in a busy free agency period, filled with an offensive line overhaul, adding a top-tier receiver has to be the next move.”

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The Browns aren’t a popular landing spot for Brown, as the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Chargers are the four teams on the three-time Pro Bowler’s wishlist.

However, a potential Brown-Browns trade has yet to be ruled out, making it logical to speculate about him joining Cleveland later this offseason. Jerry Jeudy is a respectable No. 2 receiver, but shouldn’t be thrust into the No. 1 spot anytime soon.

Adding Brown, a physically gifted and veteran wideout with valuable experience flourishing as a top receiving option, would do wonders for the Browns’ high-upside second-year quarterback.

If Cleveland shows they’re willing to surrender a high draft pick (likely a first and/or second-round selection), they could emerge as legitimate suitors for the 28-year-old stud.

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