NFL free agency is pretty much picked clean right now, meaning teams are scrambling for answers any way they can get ’em. For the Cleveland Browns, that scramble is turning into a full-blown hunt for trades to patch some serious holes on their roster before Week 1 of the 2026 regular season kicks off. It’s tough out there when you’re mostly “scraping the bottom of the barrel” for talent, and GM Andrew Berry knows he needs to make some calls, or these roster issues could bite them hard.
Tight End Depth Is a Real Head-Scratcher
Cleveland’s tight end room is looking super thin, and that’s a problem heading into a brand new season. Harold Fannin Jr. is a great young starting point, which is awesome. But after him? Yeesh. You’re talking about a career journeyman in Blake Whiteheart and then a late-round rookie like Carsen Ryan to fill out the depth chart. That’s a huge drop-off in talent, and let’s be real, the league ain’t exactly overflowing with ready-to-play tight ends just waiting around for a trade. Berry is gonna be burning up the phone lines, but finding a real difference-maker there is a tough ask when you’re just days from Week 1. It means they’ll likely have to swap some depth at another position to land someone who can contribute immediately.
Edge Rush Help and Cornerback Questions Loom Large
The defense also has some big question marks. Berry has been on the hunt for edge help since training camp started, and while Derek Barnett came in to offset Alex Wright’s injury, it sounds like they’re still not satisfied. Any defensive end who hits the waiver wire or free agent market could end up on the Browns’ roster via trade, showing just how much they need another pass rusher. On top of that, the cornerback situation is dicey. Denzel Ward and Tyson Campbell are solid at the top, and the Browns are “convinced” Myles Harden can handle the slot. Beyond those three, though, it’s a landmine of questions. Defensive Coordinator Mike Rutenberg might end up playing a lot of three-safety sets just to cover up the corner need if Berry can’t bring in any help. That’s not exactly a vote of confidence in your secondary depth heading into the regular season.
So, while the Browns have had “the big conversation all offseason” about quarterback, it’s these other positions that could truly decide their early season fate. Every team is fighting for every edge right now, especially with Week 1 right around the corner. Speaking of fights, our Seattle Seahawks just wrapped up a tough one on the road, falling 16-19 against the Tennessee Titans. Not the start we wanted for our boys, but it’s early, and the season is a marathon, not a sprint. The real tests are just beginning, for Cleveland and for the Emerald City.
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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