With six weeks down in the 2026 NFL season, there are not a lot of things that are certain around the NFL. Can the Cleveland Browns hold on to the top spot in the AFC North, or are they the biggest frauds
among the good records in the league? Almost every team still has similar or bigger questions than those that surround the Browns, but some teams are already at the point of knowing their season is likely heading toward a high 2027 NFL draft pick.The Los Angeles Chargers are winless, the Philadelphia
Eagles lost QB Jalen Hurts for the season due to blood clots, the Indianapolis Colts just fired their general manager, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders have one win each despite preseason expectations, andthe Los Angeles Rams are closer to a Top 5 pick than a playoff spot currently.
The Miami Dolphins are also winless, but that was to be expected, and they traded away much of their veteran talent already.
While Week 6 may have proven why WR Jerry Jeudy may not actually be available for teams, no matter the fit, the Browns win might have accelerated GM Andrew Berry’s desire to add talent to the roster. Given all of the struggling teams above, Cleveland could go “big-game hunting” during the ramp-up to the NFL trade deadline next month.
Whether reported, rumored, or just suggested, the Browns could have a plethora of available talent if they want to get aggressive with the cupboard full of draft picks Berry has accumulated.
Browns potential trade targets
RB Saquon Barkley
The Eagles are no longer competitive and RB Quinshon Judkins has struggled this year. When healthy, Barkley is one of the best all-purpose backs in the league, but he’s also about to turn 30, has been used heavily, and has had a myriad of health issues in his career.
With just $2.5 million guaranteed left on his contract, the Eagles might be looking to move the running back a year early.
DE Khalil Mack
We’ve covered the possibility of trading for Mack multiple times. It still seems like a good option for, likely, nothing more than a Day 3 pick.
RB Jonathan Taylor and DE/DT Deforest Buckner
Taylor is another big-name running back option, while Buckner would add more flexible talent to the defensive line:
Guard Quinton Nelson has also been mentioned as a potential trade candidate from Indianapolis, but Cleveland seems unlikely to add at that position at this point.
DE Dorance Armstrong
A smaller name compared to the above, finding an edge rusher available in a trade is tough. Armstrong is not having a great statistical season, but is an experienced pass rusher with five or more sacks in each of the last five seasons. The Commanders seem headed nowhere, but the NFC East is too weak for them to sell early.
DE Tuli Tuipulotu
Perhaps the most expensive trade value on this list, Tuipulotu is in the last year of his rookie contract after having 13 sacks last year and 8.5 the year before. Could Berry work on a trade and sign deal for a young pass rusher with upside? If the Chargers decide to sell completely, or the Browns blow them away, Tuipulotu will be at the top of most teams’ want lists.
Big names are always exciting for fan and media conversations. Cleveland might get involved with some of the guys above, but adding a really good blocking tight end might have a bigger impact, at least this season.
For now, the 4-2 record makes it at least interesting to imagine what Berry might be able to pull off to add to the Browns roster.
Do you think the Browns should aggressively add any of the names above? Any other big game-type players they should pursue that could be available?
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
Download the SB Nation app on iOS or Android.
