Browns linked to Yannick Ngakoue

The Cleveland Browns have been rumored to be interested in trading for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

Another day and another rumor about the Cleveland Browns upgrading their defensive line. The latest being a potential trade for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

Yannick Ngakoue has made it clear that he wants out of Jacksonville so it makes sense that just about every team checks in on him. With Cleveland now interested in another defensive end (Jadeveon Clowney was rumored to be a target), one thing has become quite clear. Olivier Vernon could be on his way out of Cleveland.

The fact that the Browns are actively looking at younger defensive ends certainly points towards that the team wants to move on from Vernon in some capacity. The team is not looking to acquire defensive end for the sake of having them rotate with Vernon, it would be to replace him. When considering the options of Ngakoue versus Clowney, Ngakoue would be the better option. The only problem is the price to acquire him.

It comes down to opportunity cost

Jadeveon Clowney is a free agent which makes it a bit easier to acquire him. A trade for Yannick Ngakoue would require multiple draft picks (most likely the 10th overall pick) and extending him to a much larger deal. Much like the issue with acquiring Trent Williams, the team has to give up draft capital and subsequently pay the player. While it would be worth it when it comes to Ngakoue, this type of move does not align with their team building timeline.

This is a win now move for a team that is far from it. The Browns would still have a ton of issues if they made this trade. Cleveland needs their draft picks in order to acquire multiple players to build the roster. Left tackle, linebacker, and safety are clear positions of need. The Browns must select players at these positions in the draft. While upgrading the defensive end position is great, it would still leave the team with a ton of holes. If they could somehow acquire him with a future first rounder it would be one thing, but the 10th overall pick plus others is a bit much right now. It is best for the team to stay the course and utilize their draft picks in a productive manner.