One NFL analyst can see the Cleveland Browns making a blockbuster trade on draft day.
In a story called “The 5 Most Plausible 2026 NFL Draft-Day Trades,” Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski linked the Browns to Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.
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“The Browns desperately need a wide receiver, with the inconsistent Jerry Jeudy serving as the squad’s top threat,” Sobleski wrote. “Thomas can immediately enter Cleveland’s lineup as WR1 and give whoever is at quarterback a quality target, particularly in the vertical game.
“General manager Andrew Berry should look at the situation and realize Thomas is only 23 years old and the Browns aren’t going to get a better wide receiver with the draft pick they currently hold. Besides, the market demands a first-round pick in return after the Denver Broncos surrendered one for Jaylen Waddle, who is four years older than Thomas. Jacksonville has been adamant that it doesn’t plan to trade Thomas, but the draft is still a few weeks away and the public rebuke may be a way to ensure a premium return.”
Thomas Jr. appeared in 14 games for the Jaguars last season. He caught 48 balls for 707 yards and two touchdowns.
A LSU product, Thomas Jr. made the Pro Bowl in 2024 as a rookie. He put up 1,282 receiving yards on 87 receptions.
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Cleveland needs more playmakers on offense, which is why Sobleski believes the Browns should pursue a trade for Thomas Jr. It will be fascinating to see how this situation plays out.
Cleveland went 5-12 last season. Todd Monken replaces Kevin Stefanski, who was fired and joined the Atlanta Falcons as their new HC.
Who will be the Browns’ starting QB next season? It’s unknown. Deshaun Watson will compete with Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel for the Browns’ starting spot.
Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, which would be the lowest among qualified passers.
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Watson, who did not play in 2025 as he rehabbed an Achilles tear from the 2024 season, was set to have an $80.7 million cap hit in 2026, the largest in the NFL. The Browns restructured Watson’s contract, freeing up close to $36 million in cap space.
“Anytime that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level,” Monken said of Watson. “I think you’re always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that’s how you should look at every player.”
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