Dread it. Run from it. Destiny arrives all the same. And now it’s here.” While many might pull the darkness quote from Bane in “The Dark Knight Rises” to explain being a Cleveland Browns fan, the destiny quote from Thanos in “Avengers: Infinity War” is fitting for the feeling when we heard the news that DE Myles Garrett had requested a trade.
Browns fandom brings with it a feeling of impending doom as if it were our destiny
Should the team give in to Garrett? The decision is simple and sobering to think about in Cleveland today. At this point, while all logic seems to point to the Browns calling Garrett’s bluff as they did with TE David Njoku a couple of years ago, planning for his departure is probably wise.
While there will be a ton of options, including the five teams we mentioned here, to start the reset in Cleveland and the Browns roster, just two trades could get the job done.
The Myles Garrett Trade
First, as shared over at Acme Packing Company (SB Nation’s Green Bay Packers blog), was moving Garrett to the Packers in their attempt to replicate the acquisition of Reggie White years ago. Justis Mosqueda and I went back and forth on trade details, including that this year’s NFL draft is in Green Bay so he needed to keep their first-round pick, before coming to this package for Garrett:
2026 first-round pick
2025 second-round pick
QB Malik Willis
RB MarShawn Lloyd
WR Christian Watson
Willis gives Cleveland a starting quarterback option who has some experience with a similar system as the Browns will run this year. Watson will be recovering from a late-season ACL tear but could be available late in 2025 and GM Andrew Berry could negotiate an extension with the speedy receiver by then.
Willis will also be a free agent at the end of the season.
A third-round pick in 2024, Lloyd was the price Justis had to pay for not being able to offer this year’s first-round pick. Adding a second-round pick in 2025 gives the Browns five picks in the top 94 in this year’s NFL draft.
The 2026 first-round selection could end up helping Cleveland get their next quarterback like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Malachi Nelson, LaNorris Sellers or whoever else they might want (even if they need to trade up to get them). If Willis proves he can be the guy, the Browns have that much more ammunition to build around him.
The Trade of the #2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft
With Garrett in Green Bay, Cleveland still has a lot of decisions to make. Willis provides them with a young quarterback to develop and cultivate while assuming they are not excited about Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders. With playoff hopes now gone, the second overall pick can be auctioned off.
In this case, the Las Vegas Raiders won that auction, using Pro Football Focus’ Mock Draft Simulator:
Browns receive picks #6, 37, 73 and another 2026 first-rounder
Raiders receive picks #2, 102 and 204
Adding their third first-round pick for next year plus an extra second and third-rounder in this year’s draft puts Cleveland in a power position.
Browns Mock Draft after the Above Trades
Round 1
OT Will Campbell, LSU
Starting the reset with a starting left tackle makes all the sense in the world.
Round 2
DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
No one replaces Garrett but Cleveland needs at least one more edge rusher as they look to move forward and Jackson has great size and length for the role.
LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
A young linebacker who can pair with Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (everyone is hoping he can play next year) to create a great starting linebacker duo for years in the future.
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
The more electric of the two Buckeye backs, Henderson and Campbell can help the Browns return to a run-first offense with great play-action options.
Round 3
S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
With the defense needing to create an identity, Juan Thornhill is probably not sticking around. Winston is a playmaker but drops due to an injury that ended his season early.
TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
Kevin Stefanski’s system needs more tight ends and Helm showed his versatility as the Longhorns made it to the College Football Playoffs.
QB Will Howard, Ohio State
Adding a developmental quarterback to join Willis and potentially be the team’s long-term backup or more would be a steal with the Browns seventh pick so far in this year’s draft.
Round 5
CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
A quality back and a big defensive tackle early in the round and two special teams players later help fill out the back of the roster.
Round 6
HB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
WR Samuel Brown, Miami
S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
A quality back and a big defensive tackle early in the round and two special teams players later help fill out the back of the roster.
Round 7
TE Moliki Matavao, UCLA
LB Aaron Smith, South Carolina State
More depth with a chance to make the roster with cheap contracts.
Let’s put it all together for all the additions in exchange for Myles Garrett and the #2 overall pick (and a couple of lesser picks to make the deal work):
QB Malik Willis
WR Christian Watson (hopefully extended)
RB MarShawn Lloyd
2026 first-round pick from Raiders
2026 first-round pick from Packers
OT Will Campbell, LSU
DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas
LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State
TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
QB Will Howard, Ohio State
CB Denzel Burke, Ohio State
HB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
DT Junior Tafuna, Utah
WR Samuel Brown, Miami
S Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
TE Moliki Matavao, UCLA
LB Aaron Smith, South Carolina State
