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This page lists all the 2024 Trades for the Cleveland Browns. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the trades. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the trades, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL trades here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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- Total Trades: 5
- Average Grade: B+ (88)
November 2024 – Trades and Signings
Lions acquire DE Za'Darius Smith from Browns for 5th-round pick, swap of 2026 6th-, 7th-round picks
It would have been shocking if the Lions didn’t make a trade for a pass rusher at the deadline. They obviously had a big need at the position in the wake of Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury, and they managed to fill that need at a very reasonable price.
Smith is 32, but he’s still playing at a high level this year. He has accumulated five sacks while playing about half the snaps each week. He has also held up well against the run. He’s a perfect short-term fix, and the Lions aren’t giving up much. The 2026 pick swap is inconsequential, so all the Lions are relinquishing is a fifth-round pick this year. Surrendering a fifth-rounder to give themselves a better chance to win the Super Bowl is a great move.
I like this trade for Cleveland as well. The Browns need to be focusing on the future, so a 32-year-old edge rusher won’t be part of those plans. They did a good job of obtaining a fifth-round pick for Smith to help with the rebuilding process.
Grade for Lions – A+
Grade for Browns – A
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October 2024 – Trades and Signings
Bills acquire WR Amari Cooper from Browns for 3rd-round pick, late-round pick swap
The Bills have Josh Allen, a surprisingly solid running game, and a strong defense. They had a complete team – except when it comes to the receiving corps. With Stefon Diggs gone, Buffalo’s sole viable receiving threat was Khalil Shakir, which wasn’t good enough to win a Super Bowl. Thus, no one should be surprised that the Bills pulled the trigger on this sort of trade.
Amari Cooper will be great for Allen. He’s in his 30s, but he’s one of the top route runners in the NFL, so he’ll be able to get open despite his age. He’ll be a huge upgrade at the position of greatest weakness, so he’s definitely worth a third-round pick and a swap of late-round selections.
This is a great trade for the Bills. It also makes sense for the Browns, who had to begin the rebuilding process with Deshaun Watson being such a huge failure. This will allow the Browns to lose more games, which could allow them to obtain the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Check out my 2025 NFL Mock Draft here.
Grade for Bills – A
Grade for Browns – B+
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August 2024 – Trades and Signings
Redskins acquire K Cade York from Browns for 7th-round pick
The Redskins have been busy today. In addition to trading Jahan Dotson, they also acquired a kicker to potentially solve a problematic position for them.
The issue is that Cade York may not be the proper solution. York is a former fourth-round pick, but he’s just 24-of-32 in his career. He lost the kicking competition in Cleveland to Dustin Hopkins. The Browns were willing to move on from him, so I don’t get why the Redskins think he’ll solve their kicking woes. Granted, they surrendered just a seventh-round pick, but it feels like they could have gotten someone comparable without giving up anything.
Grade for Redskins – C-
Grade for Browns – B+
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Browns acquire C Nick Harris from Seahawks for swap of 2026 late-round picks
We thought there might be a Browns trade this weekend involving Brandon Aiyuk, but that’s not the player Cleveland acquired. Nick Harris, who played for the Browns from 2020 to 2023, signed with the Seahawks this offseason, but will be returning to Cleveland via this deal.
This trade makes sense for both teams. The Browns had some depth injuries at center, so obtaining a blocker who knows the scheme and playbook makes sense at this stage of the offseason. The Seahawks, meanwhile, signed Connor Williams, so they had no use for Harris anymore.
Grade for Browns – B
Grade for Seahawks – B
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March 2024 – Trades and Signings
Browns acquire WR Jerry Jeudy from Broncos for 2024 5th-, 6th-round picks
It’s no surprise that Jerry Jeudy was traded. Jeudy had some bright moments in Denver, particularly during the final month of the 2022 season, but was a big disappointment overall. He had issues with drops, while his effort was questioned at times. Denver has a natural replacement in Marvin Mims, who, according to Sean Payton, didn’t see much playing time as a rookie because he and Jeudy played the same position. Trading Jeudy unlocks Mims, so the Broncos aren’t losing much. Acquiring fifth- and sixth-round picks when they had no leverage is a fine move.
However, the Browns may have won this trade. They desperately needed a No. 2 receiver across from Amari Cooper, and Jeudy will provide that at a cheap price. There’s definitely a chance that Jeudy will continue to disappoint, but a new environment could be just what he needs. There’s still some untapped potential with him, so if he finally lives up to it, the Browns will have gotten a steal.
Grade for Browns – A-
Grade for Broncos – B
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