The Cleveland Browns, an AFC North team, are in the midst of a five-game losing skid and have a 1-6 record as the season draws to a close. The Browns are viewed as sellers this season as the NFL trade deadline draws near and the team seeks to accumulate a number of picks for the next draft.
There are a number of players on Cleveland’s roster who might be traded by clubs seeking depth or to replace injured players, and the Browns will have two defensive tackles in 2024.
In addition to having depth on the Browns’ roster, defensive tackle is a position where rookie Mike Hall Jr. should get more action to gauge his performance this season.
On the Cleveland roster this season, these are two potential trade targets.
Za’Darius Smith
Because clubs like the San Francisco 49ers need depth at this position, the veteran defensive tackle has been mentioned several times in the past week as a potential trade possibility.
Smith’s NFL career is coming to an end at the age of 32, and he may want to try to have a shot to play for a playoff contender. With 9.5 sacks in the last 23 games for Cleveland, the three-time Pro Bowler has 64 sacks overall. Smith’s contract is valid through the 2025 season, thus if he were traded, teams would still have Smith’s services for another year.
Hurst Maurice
Maurice Hurst might be a better choice for teams seeking a one-year option. Hurst, 29, is the youngest defensive tackle on the active roster besides Hall.
Hurst has suffered numerous injuries over the last three years, which has caused him to miss the entire 2022 season. Despite this, the 6-foot-2 player has made two starts for Cleveland this season and has accumulated seven tackles and 0.5 sacks in three Browns games.
