Updated Cleveland Browns Team Needs 1 Week Ahead of the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline

With a little less than one week until the 2026 NFL trade deadline, the Cleveland Browns find themselves in a unique position.

The young roster has proven to be good enough to win games against bad opponents. They are in a position to be part of the playoff race down the stretch despite losing 27-6 at Pittsburgh last week.

At the same time, that loss can't be ignored. The Browns' roster has real holes that will likely need to be fixed before they can actually be considered a serious playoff team.

Whether they'll seek to patch at least one of the holes at the trade deadline is yet to be seen, but here are the five biggest needs they have going into the deadline with trade options for each.

The Browns are tied for ninth in the league in sacks with 21 on the season. Yet, they could really use another edge-rusher who can get after the quarterback.

Thus far, Jared Verse has not been the No. 1 pass-rusher the team was hoping for when he was included in the Myles Garrett trade. He has mostly been a good run defender who sets a good edge, but he has yet to notch his first sack.

Instead, the Browns have benefitted from multiple interior rushers and second-level defenders getting to the quarterback. Isaiah McGuire is the only edge-rusher with more than one sack on the season.

The Browns have two powerful rushers in Verse and McGuire; the question is whether a more speed-based, bendy rusher on the edge would make their pass rush even more dangerous.

Potential Trade Targets: Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Khalil Mack (Chargers), Jermaine Johnson II (Titans)

If there's one element of the Cleveland Browns that is most disappointing this season, it's the run game.

There's a combination of factors at play. The scheme isn't always great because they are in shotgun so much. The offensive line hasn't always cleared the most run lanes and the running back, primarily Quinshon Judkins, hasn't done much with the ball.

One trade or personnel change won't solve all the problems. But at this point, Judkins bears some of the blame. According to Player Profiler , the Browns running back ranks 48th in yards created per touch.

The blocking isn't always great, but other backs in the offense have been more efficient in smaller samples. If the Browns were to get aggressive, it would be good for them to add another power back who is going to let inside runs develop and be more reliable.

Potential Trade Targets: Tony Pollard (Titans), Tyrone Tracy (Giants), Kimani Vidal (Chargers)

Tight end might seem like a ridiculous need given Harold Fannin Jr.'s 10-catch game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Fannin's skills are exactly why another tight end is a need.

The Browns are 27th in 12-personnel (one running back, two tight ends) usage in the league at just 14.3 percent . That's not great for a team that is struggling to run the ball.

Adding an additional blocker on the field would not only give the Browns more opportunities in the run game, but it would also mean Fannin could be used more like a moving weapon in the pass game.

Blake Whiteheart has been serviceable, but he doesn't offer enough as a run blocker to incentivize more 12 personnel.

Adding a versatile blocking tight end would give the Browns more schematic flexibility.

Potential Trade Targets: Dallas Goedert (Eagles), Charlie Kolar (Chargers), Luke Schoonmaker (Cowboys)

All in all, the Browns have a good duo of outside corners in Tyson Campbell and Denzel Ward. The latter is the top-graded corner by PFF this season and Campbell has been a solid second corner on the other side.

The concern is that both Campbell and Ward have injury histories that warrant consideration. The latter has never played a full season, and the former has already missed time this season with a lower body injury in Week 2.

Bringing in competition for Myles Harden in the slot wouldn't be a bad idea. He has allowed more yards than any other player in the secondary this season.

Bringing in another defensive back would help ensure that the Browns have a defense that can keep them in games throughout the season. They would have more depth in the event that Ward or Campbell gets injured, while potentially upgrading the slot.

Potential Trade Targets: Amik Robertson (Commanders), Jarvis Brownlee (Jets), Paulson Adebo (Giants)

The Browns' Week 8 loss to the Steelers was an eye-opening reminder that the quarterback of the future is likely not on the roster right now.

Deshaun Watson has put together a season of impressive fourth-quarter heroics. Unfortunately, there was no fourth-quarter comeback to be had in Pittsburgh.

Watson topped 300 passing yards for the second consecutive week, but much of that production amounted to empty calories. The Browns' offense struggled to get going while the game was still competitive. Watson ran into multiple sacks throughout the afternoon and did little to bolster the rushing attack.

A midseason trade is the least likely route that the Browns will utilize to fix the problem. However, Ben Solak of ESPN threw out the idea that Cleveland should try to trade for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

The idea is obviously a long shot. The Chargers are 0-7, but dealing a quarterback of Herbert's caliber in the middle of the season is still a risky move.

However, the Browns can't be discounted from making that kind of move. Watson is in the final year of his contract, and a smooth transition to a competent quarterback would be huge.

Potential Trade Target: Justin Herbert (Chargers)