Browns should explore trade for J.J. Watt

The Cleveland Browns should explore a trade with the Houston Texans for the dynamic defensive end.

There is a certain player from the Houston Texans that the Cleveland Browns should consider trading for. No, this is not about Deshaun Watson (although there is merit to that), this is about J.J. Watt. There is the possibility that Watt has played his last game in Houston according to reports.

Let’s look at the facts. The Browns defense desperately needs help and it appears that the Texans are about to begin a total teardown resulting in J.J. Watt being available. Cleveland needs someone to play on the opposite side of Myles Garrett and even if they re-sign Olivier Vernon it is doubtful he is ready to go Week 1. While Adrian Clayborn and Porter Gustin filled in admirably, they are simply not starting quality defensive ends.

There is one major obstacle for the Browns when it comes to trading for J.J. Watt, his contract. Watt is due $17.5 million this upcoming season and that is quite the sizable chunk for a team that needs to make improvements across the board defensively. Luckily there is a solution. A simple restructure would give the Browns flexibility and could result in Watt having financial certainty beyond this upcoming season. Combine all of this with the fact that the Browns appear to be in a contention window and this is a win for all sides involved.

In the end it is possible that the Browns do not trade for J.J Watt, but if they do not at least explore the idea it would be foolish on their part. Cleveland’s defense is bad and needs help in the worst way. Not just in the draft and free agency, but the trade market as well. Adding Watt to other acquisitions they make would be an absolute home run for their defense. Especially after this front office essentially punted defense last offseason.