As the roster begins to take shape, the Cleveland Browns have pulled off their first trade of the preseason.
Cleveland is sending second-year defensive tackle Jowon Briggs to the New York Jets in exchange for draft compensation. The Browns will receive a sixth-round pick and are also sending a seventh-rounder to New York as part of the deal.
Briggs, a seventh-round selection in 2024, appeared in six games as a rookie. He totaled 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery while also contributing on special teams.
The Browns are well-stocked on the interior of their defensive line. Rookie first-round pick Mason Graham headlines the unit, alongside veterans Maliek Collins and Shelby Harris. The team is also monitoring the status of Mike Hall Jr., a second-round pick last year who is working back from offseason knee surgery. Hall began camp on the active/PUP list but can be activated once he passes a physical.
Hall’s rookie year was interrupted by a five-game suspension following a domestic incident and another four-game absence due to injury. He returned late in the year and finished with one sack, six quarterback hits and three tackles for loss in eight games, including three starts.
Browns Defense Shines in Preseason Action
Briggs had been making a case for a larger role before the trade. He notched four tackles, including one for a loss, in the Browns’ second preseason game against the Eagles. Cleveland’s defense held Philadelphia to just 88 yards of total offense in that contest.
“Really pleased with our defense’s performance in practice and the games,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think you see our personality. I think you see the speed to the ball. I think you see guys playing hard, playing physical. Coach (Jim) Schwartz and the defensive staff do a great job of coaching that out of our players. It’s natural in most of our players, but there’s a style to which we play, and I think it’s been on display the last couple of weeks.”
The Browns defense also had a strong showing in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. Cleveland collected four sacks and notched a pair of turnovers in the 30-10 victory.
Browns Quarterbacks in Trade Speculation
The Browns are nearing roster cutdowns, and more moves could be coming. The most polarizing position group remains at quarterback. Cleveland has already named 40-year-old Joe Flacco the starter, but the future of the four other passers on the roster is still unsettled.
Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are competing for positioning on the depth chart. Tyler Huntley was signed during camp but is not expected to stick around.
There’s a growing belief the Browns could take an unconventional route and keep all four quarterbacks. Stashing either rookie on the practice squad would carry risk, as both could be claimed by another team.
Stefanski has said that keeping four could be difficult.
“I think we’ll let it play out as we get closer to the cut down,” Stefanski said. “Those are all conversations that we are always having, but those are tough decisions. You know, I’d like to keep everybody, but not realistic.”
The Browns wrap up their preseason slate on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams.
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