Browns Land 40-Start Monster LT in Proposed 3-Team Trade

The Cleveland Browns are at the center of a three-team trade proposal that would see them part ways with cornerback Greg Newsome II to help shore up their offensive line.

The deal, floated by Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski, would involve the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, who are shopping seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey. In the move, the Browns would ship out Newsome to the Dolphins and get back offensive tackle Braxton Jones, who has started 40 games in his career.

The move would provide the Browns with valuable insurance as Dawand Jones returns from injury, while also offering flexibility for an aging offensive line.

“The Cleveland Browns are hoping Dawand Jones bounces back after a disappointing sophomore season. Either he remains committed and finds a home at left tackle — Braxton Jones can then move to guard and eventually replace Joel Bitonio or Wyatt Teller — or the Browns’ projected starting left tackle gets replaced by a more experienced version.”

Browns CB Greg Newsome Wants Larger Role

The trade would also allow the Browns to get something in return for Newsome, who is entering the final year of his contract. The former first-round pick has primarily played nickel for Cleveland over the past two seasons and wants to play more on the outside.

“Greg Newsome II is on the last year of his rookie deal with the Cleveland Browns, who are relatively deep at cornerback with Denzel Ward, Martin Emerson Jr. and Cameron Mitchell,” Sobleski said. “Browns general manager Andrew Berry can move Newsome and improve his offensive line, while Mitchell takes on a bigger role. Newsome can then bump back outside on a full-time basis and essentially become the Dolphins’ new top cover corner.”

Newsome has expressed a desire to be on the field more. He played on 70% of the defensive snaps last season.

“When I talked to Greg Newsome at the Super Bowl on Radio Row back in January or early February, he talked about the fact that he wants to be used more. He was primarily the nickel back last year. He wants to be on the field more often,” insider Mary Kay Cabot said on the Orange and Browns Talk podcast. “Actually, point blank said, you know, I need to know some things before I want to sign a long-term contract here.”

Browns Hopeful Dawand Jones Solution at LT

The Browns attempted to draft their left tackle of the future in Jedrick Wills Jr. However, the former Alabama standout was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Wills — now a free agent — is expected to skip the entire coming season to get his body right.

Jones suffered a broken leg last season, and his 2023 campaign was cut short by a knee injury. He’s a mountain of a man, listed at 6-foot-8 and 375 pounds. But he said he’s slimmed down a bit, preparing to be the starting left tackle.

“Health-wise, I feel better,” Jones said. “I feel like I took care of my body a little bit better this offseason. That was the main thing, just making those small adjustments from last year to this year and working on them to get better. I lost a lot of body fat, and I pride myself on that, so I’m happy about it.

“I’m playing left tackle. Most left tackles are a little leaner, and I feel like that will help my game being lean and being able to move with the ball. I’m not always going against Myles [Garrett] on the right side. So being lighter on your feet helps you block a guy like Myles.”

The Browns will gather for training camp on July 22.