The Cleveland Browns have a wild chance right now, not just to snag first place in the AFC North this weekend, but to actually become buyers at the NFL trade deadline. That’s a sentence Browns fans haven’t heard much lately.
First Place Hopes and Trade Deadline Dreams
The Browns are staring down two massive games before the November 10th trade deadline. First up, they’re facing the 5-2 Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend. Then, they take on the 2-5 New Orleans Saints next week. If they can come out of that stretch at 6-3 or even 7-2, a serious playoff push isn’t just a fantasy. It’s real. ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler already put them on a list of potential fits for players expected to hit the market.
Khalil Mack: Future Hall of Famer in a Browns Jersey?
And that’s where Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack comes into the picture. Bowen and Fowler linked the Browns to him, and honestly, it makes a ton of sense. The dude’s in his 13th NFL season, racking up 116.0 career sacks, nine Pro Bowl appearances, and four All-Pro selections. His 3.0 sacks this year would immediately rank third on the Browns, tied for first among their current edge rushers.
Sure, he might not have that explosive speed he once did. The tape shows that. But the man can still wreck a pocket with his strength and those advanced counter moves. What’s even bigger, though, is the mentorship he’d bring. Browns pass rushers like Jared Verse never got to play with Myles Garrett, and Mason Graham only had one year with him. Imagine a future Hall of Famer like Mack dropping wisdom on a talented young defensive line room. Fowler thinks it would only take a “quality day 3 pick” to make it happen. You kidding me? That’s a tiny price for the boost he could give the pass rush down the stretch and the knowledge he could drop on those young guys.
So, all eyes are on the Browns this weekend against the Steelers. Win that, and the path to first place opens wide. Add a guy like Mack, and the whole AFC North might be looking over its shoulder.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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