This offseason, the Cleveland Browns defence will most likely have to replace Za’Darius Smith, and one of the NFL’s top pass rushers is looking for another place to call home.
On February 11, Tim McManus of ESPN reported that the Philadelphia Eagles gave outside linebacker Haason Reddick permission to seek a trade. While Reddick soon denied that he was looking for a trade, the remainder of his comments made it plain that he is open to a new home that is willing and able to pay him his market worth.
On Wednesday, February 21, Cory Kinnan of USA Today’s Browns Wire proposed a trade in which Cleveland sends the Eagles a package of a pair of Day-3 picks in exchange for a player they can’t afford to keep.
Reddick wants a new contract, but the Eagles cannot afford it. They intend to trade him as a result. Given his age and the need for a new contract, a Reddick exchange may cost as much draft capital as acquiring Smith or [Amari] Cooper.
Oh, and Berry has a wonderful relationship with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
The only question is if the Browns believe Reddick has the ability to play opposite Myles Garrett on every down, rather than just as a designated pass rusher. If they don’t, the Browns are unlikely to make a deal and extend him.
In exchange for Smith, Cleveland sent the Minnesota Vikings two fifth-round picks, a sixth-round pick, and a seventh-round pick. The Browns sent two fifth-round picks and a sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for Cooper.
Haason Reddick Among the NFL’s best pass rushers during the last four seasons.
For the past four years, Reddick has been a high-level, if not great, edge rusher.
The former first-round pick (13th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2017) had 12.5 sacks for the Cardinals in 2020 and 11 sacks for the Carolina Panthers the next year. During his debut season with the Eagles in 2022, he recorded 16 sacks and led the NFL with five forced fumbles. Reddick recorded 11 sacks last season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Philadelphia signed Reddick to a three-year, $45 million contract before the 2022 season. Spotrac estimates the 29-year-old’s market value at $15.8 million per year over a new three-year contract.
The Browns should pair Myles Garrett with another elite edge defender, like Haason Reddick.
The Browns have Garrett, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, and should try to pair him with another elite-level pass-rusher, such as Reddick.
Smith was effective in his role with Garrett in 2023, recording six sacks. The Browns also have Ogbo Okoronkwo, who was signed to a three-year contract before last season, in their pass-rush rotation.
However, if Smith does not return to the team in 2024, Cleveland must find a player who can capitalize on the attention Garrett receives on the other side of the line. Garrett was near the top of the NFL in double-teams last season while also virtually leading the league in pass-rush win rate.
An great quarterback disruptor, like as Reddick, would be an excellent complement to him in order to capitalize on favourable one-on-one matchups, providing he can also hold his own against the run and be an all-around player. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced stats, Reddick is a competent but not excellent run defender. He played 74% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps over the last two years.
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