The Cleveland Browns pulled off an all-time heist by trading a fifth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for Amari Cooper, and the team has a chance to repeat the feat this offseason.
Financial realities force the Los Angeles Chargers to part ways with wide receiver Mike Williams, a former collegiate colleague of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson at Clemson University.
On Wednesday, March 6, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com made the argument for why Cleveland should pay L.A. a late-round selection for the rights to a contract that the Chargers are eager to get rid of, while also drawing comparisons to the Cooper trade two years ago.
If the Chargers cut or sell Williams, they will have $12.46 million in dead cap space, but a draft pick from the Browns would help offset that significant cost, making it a win-win situation. When the Browns traded for Cooper in 2022, the Cowboys sought to dump his $20 million salary for 2022 and were willing to accept a fifth-round pick in exchange. Perhaps the Chargers would make a similar mid- to late-round decision.
The Browns then extended Cooper’s deal, reduced his $20 million base pay in 2022 to $1.12 million, added two vacant years, and paid him a large restructure bonus. Cooper has been one of the greatest receivers in the NFL over the last two seasons and one of Berry’s best acquisitions.
The Browns might execute a similar restructuring with Williams, who is entering the final year of his contract with a base salary of $17 million.
Mike Williams Can Offer Browns Risk/Reward Play Following ACL Injury in 2023
If the Chargers are unable to deal Williams, they will most likely release him, allowing Cleveland to pursue him at a reduced price. However, that strategy could backfire, as Williams has high-end WR2 potential and would be worth a gamble for some clubs willing to take a chance on the 29-year-old former first-round choice.
“So why would the Browns give up a draft pick instead of waiting for the Chargers to cut him?” Cabot wrote. “It’s the same as with Cooper: a trade keeps him off the open market and ensures that the Browns don’t lose him to a higher bidder.”
Williams agreed to a three-year contract for $60 million in March 2022 to stay with the Chargers after a stellar season in 2021 that includes 76 catches (career high), 1,146 yards (career high), and 9 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference. He followed the accomplishment with 63 receptions for 895 yards and four touchdowns before having his 2023 season cut short by an ACL tear in Week 3.
But, with modern sports medicine as it is, and Williams’ status as a player still on the verge of 30 years old, an interesting case can be made for a deal that falls somewhere between a prove-it contract and a legitimate payday for a wideout with 31 touchdowns and over 4,800 receiving yards in 88 career games.
The Browns need to go all-in on talent. Deshaun Watson is in Year 3.
Williams is an especially intriguing prospect in Cleveland because of his ties to Watson, who remains the Browns’ starting quarterback despite Joe Flacco’s strong performance down the line last season.
Watson has only played 12 regular-season games in the previous two seasons, missing 11 in 2022 due to an NFL suspension and another 11 last year due to a shoulder ailment that required surgery in November to correct.
Cleveland spent $230 million fully guaranteed on Watson after trading three first-round picks and a few more draft assets to get him from the Houston Texans in March 2022. This is likely to be Watson’s make-or-break season as Cleveland’s starter, and the team has a legitimate potential to make some noise in the playoffs because its No. 1 defence in 2023 will return the majority of its key members.
Cooper and tight end David Njoku are coming off Pro Bowl seasons, and Kevin Stefanski is the reigning NFL Coach of the Year. Outside of the question marks with Watson under centre, the Browns only have two significant gaps to fill: solidifying the tackle positions and getting a legitimate No. 2 receiver.
As a result, filling those two roster spaces will likely be one of Cleveland’s top objectives when the new league year begins on March 13. Williams provides the organization with a fairly priced option with high promise and legitimate ties to Watson, making him a clear offseason target for the Browns.
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