The Cleveland Browns are preparing to open their training camp with the hope that they can stay healthy and compete for a Super Bowl in 2021. The New Orleans Saints haven’t reported to camp yet either but already got some bad news that star receiver Michael Thomas will likely miss games this year.
Thomas reportedly underwent surgery in June on his ankle that caused him problems much of last season. According to reports, Thomas is likely to miss four months before being able to return to football activities which could lead him to miss around half of the season.
With the Saints also hoping to vie for a Super Bowl appearance this year, their first without Drew Brees, could they make a call to the Browns for receiver help?
The Browns are deep at a lot of positions going into 2021. While teams can never prepare for a major injury, receiver is one position where the Browns could feel good about their depth enough to make a deal.
At the top of the depth chart are the two biggest names: Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry. A return to Louisiana for either of the LSU stars would make headlines but seems highly unlikely. Unless the Saints trade one of their highly paid players to the Browns, assuming the Browns would want them, they are too close to the cap to make a high-priced receiver trade work.
Of the two, Landry costs about $2.5 less against the cap than Beckham but would still be a bit of a tight squeeze for New Orleans.
Anthony Schwartz is also unlikely to be the receiver discussed between the two teams. The Saints are likely looking for a player who can help right away, rookies rarely do so, and the Browns would need to be blown away to deal their third-round pick from this year before seeing him on the field.
After those three, the Browns do have some interesting players that New Orleans could be interested in. Rashard Higgins is a steady veteran on a one-year contract. While his numbers have never been amazing, he is a very reliable player. The Browns would drive a hard bargain for “Hollywood” but, if the Saints are desperate enough, move Higgins for a big enough return.
Khadarel Hodge has never had the kind of numbers Saints fans might hope for in seeking a Thomas replacement, even for the short term, but could fit. Hodge has size and speed, is playing on his restricted tender contract and could be had for a much lower rate than any of the others noted.
Donovan Peoples-Jones is one of the reasons Hodge and Higgins could be available but he could also draw attention from New Orleans. He fell in the NFL draft due to poor quarterback play around him but showed flashes as a rookie. Perhaps the Saints see upside in Peoples-Jones while the Browns are willing to risk trading him only for a high enough price.
Cleveland, like most teams, also has a few other receivers, like Jojo Natson, Ryan Switzer and Derrick Willies, but none that will likely draw a call from the Saints.
In the end, the Browns would only deal one of their receivers if they believed it helped them win a Super Bowl in the next few seasons. If the Saints traded a day two draft pick or a player that could step in and help right away, all but Beckham Jr. might be available. New Orleans, with salary cap issues the past few years, may rather trade a lower-tier pick or player to grab a cheaper receiver who can help bide time for Thomas’s recovery.
