Brown’s trade idea that sends first-round pick to Jaguars for 1,900-yard Pro Bowl WR originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
Heading into the 2026 NFL offseason, the Cleveland Browns have two major areas to address: the offensive line and the wide receiver room.
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They’ve essentially addressed one of those issues, adding offensive linemen Tevin Jenkins, Elgton Jenkins, Titus Howard and Zion Johnson. Now, they need to find a wide receiver.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton has a trade idea that would be perfect for the Browns. Rather than hoping to land a top WR in the draft, Morton floated the idea of ​​sending Brian Thomas Jr. to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brown’s trade idea would send a first-round pick to the Jaguars for Brian Thomas Jr.
“The Browns are in dire need of help at wide receiver, and Jerry Jeudy is the lead for this unit,” Morton wrote. “…The Browns could offer Thomas one of two first-rounders to upgrade their below-average receiver corps.”
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Thomas’ name has been floating around in trade rumors this offseason, with the New York Jets and New York Giants most often linked to the Pro Bowler.
However, with the Browns desperately needing wide receivers and needing to utilize two first-round picks, adding someone like Thomas would make a lot of sense from the Browns’ perspective.
They also wouldn’t give up their sixth overall pick in such a trade. The No. 24 pick would certainly be enough to convince the Jaguars to pass on Thomas.
With speculation that Thomas’ market is more likely to be a Day 2 pick, the Browns offering the Jaguars’ original pick from the Travis Hunter trade would make some sense for both parties.
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more: Browns agree to terms with Elgton Jenkins and Tevin Jenkins
While this is a risky addition for the Browns, it’s a risk worth taking considering the draft capital spent and the fact that Thomas will regress significantly in his rookie year in 2025.
Thomas had 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie but only had 707 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore under new coach Liam Coen.
The Jaguars have a strong wide receiver corps and they have the ability to offload Thomas. The Browns desperately need two first-round picks, and they could use the 24th pick to sign a 23-year-old Pro Bowl wide receiver who has three years left on his contract.
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It’s a risky move, especially if he’s closer to his normal form in his second year in the NFL. He had 1,989 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons. If he can do that, he’ll be worthy of a first-round pick.
But if this is an anomaly, Thomas could have a massive breakout season in Cleveland and become Sanders’ clear first choice.
