NFL Rumors: 5 Teams Who Could Trade For Cleveland Browns CB Joe Haden Prior To 2016 NFL Trade Deadline
The 2016 NFL Trade Deadline is on November 1 this year and there could be a few big names to change teams in the next couple weeks. According to Today’s Pigskin of the FanRag Network two of those names play for the 0-4 Cleveland Browns: corner Joe Haden and tackle Joe Thomas.
Trade buzz: #Browns could be shopping Joe Haden, Joe Thomas: https://t.co/te7gS4p5UP
— Today’s Pigskin (@TodaysPigskin) October 7, 2016
The rumors make a lot of sense as the Browns are a multitude of players away from competing for a championship and Haden and Thomas aren’t getting any younger. With both still holding pretty solid value on the trade market, it would be smart of the Browns to get some assets for each player so that they can continue to build towards the future.
According to Pro Football Focus, Haden is currently rated as the ninth-best corner in the NFL with an 83.8 rating out of 100 and has already hauled in two interceptions through three games. Joe seems to be fully recovered after only playing in five games during the 2015 season due to a concussion that kept him out for an extended period of time. Someone with his talent should generate plenty of interest on the trade market.
Insider Buzz: Active Trade Deadline Could Be Headlined by 2 Browns Stars | Bleacher Report https://t.co/QgMe2ymTao
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) October 7, 2016
Let’s go through a few teams that could use Joe Haden.
Atlanta Falcons — The Falcons currently sit at 3-1 and hold a two-game lead in the NFC South. Most of the team’s success can be attributed to the offense which leads the NFL in scoring and total offense. The Atlanta defense, meanwhile, is 31st in the NFL as the unit has allowed 317 passing yards per game through the first four weeks of the season. Adding Haden would give the Falcons a dominant corner tandem with Desmond Trufant already in uniform.
Pittsburgh Steelers — The Steelers look to be one of the top two or three teams in the AFC this season and have a real shot at reaching the Super Bowl. If that goal is going to be reached, Pittsburgh is going to have to improve its 30th-ranked pass defense that is allowing 316.5 passing yards per game. While it would be a bit unique to have a trade within the division, Joe Haden would be worth it for the Steelers.
Green Bay Packers — The Packers allowed both Davon House and Casey Hayward to walk during the offseason which left the team with Sam Shields and Damarious Randall as the starting corners. Both are certainly capable players, but the Green Bay pass defense as a whole has struggled through three games. Joe Haden would make the Packers the best team in the NFC.
Oakland Raiders — Somehow, the Raiders are 3-1 and in second in the AFC West despite allowing a league-worst 325.5 passing yards per game. Oakland went out and signed Sean Smith this offseason during free agency, but he’s largely struggled along with the other corners. If Joe Haden made his way to the Oakland Raiders, the Denver Broncos might have some serious concerns in that division.
Carolina Panthers — The Panthers are staring down a must-win game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football. If Carolina emerges from that game victorious, it would make a lot of sense for general manager Dave Gettleman to call the Cleveland Browns about Joe. Just this week, Gettleman sent starting corner Bene Benwikere packing after he got lit up by Julio Jones last week.
With Benwikere gone, Carolina is left with rookies James Bradberry, Daryl Worley and Zack Sanchez, and career journeyman Robert McClain at corner. That unit is clearly not among the elite in the NFL and adding a veteran like Joe Haden would be ideal.
[Featured Image by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images]
