Newsletter: Garrett Wilson Buzz, and Jowon Briggs' Performance in Pittsburgh
Trade speculation is the worst but it does give us a reason to discuss how these might work with the Browns cap situation.
It’s a little late for the Newsletter drop today but nonetheless we find a way. Really it is a busy day of content so I’ll share with you what has caught my eye most between yesterday and this morning.
I hate this stuff but we should address it. There is some chatter around the NFL with the Jets impending general manager and coaching change, and the quarterback decision when Aaron Rodgers departs, that third-year receiver Garrett Wilson could ask for a trade. It could perhaps make sense for both sides as the Jets will need to rebuild several layers of what they have on the roster and Wilson will be entering his fiscal and performance prime before the Jets can solve the issues.
Every team in the league should be interested in Garrett’s services. His traits are among the best in the NFL at the position and he still has two affordable years on his rookie contract before an extension would kick in. The Jets could clearly hold onto Wilson as his window for big money might mesh with their timeline, but it is clear he is quite frustrated with the position the franchise has put him in so far. This sort of buzz begets the Browns potentially having interest.
Now, in order to make this type of deal you have to do it knowing the pick being sent to New York is likely to be this year’s first-round pick and then perhaps more. Wilson will want a new contract but that contract is less dire than others playing on an expiring deal with more pressure to solve it right away. Wilson can still be relatively cheap for a few seasons. If the Jets want to stockpile picks and have discussions you can bet damn well the Browns will be calling.
Given Andrew Berry’s tendencies he will be aggressive. On the surface the Browns might not be able to make this sort of move but if you consider Wilson’s final year of the rookie deal, and then 5th-year option year, will occupy the final remaining seasons of the Deshaun Watson deal then it makes some sense. The Browns could make sure Wilson’s largest cap numbers start in 2027, or perhaps beyond, and make this sort of deal work.
The question becomes if you are willing to move off an affordable rookie deal for a marquee talent, one the Browns have not brought in since 2021, and if that pick is too valuable for a trade involving a large contract. It’s tricky, no doubt.
The Browns currently have the 5th overall selection in the draft and it is possible that pick slides in either direction by January. It would be more appealing to perhaps send the 10th overall pick instead of the 5th? It’s unclear what is too much. Could this involve multiple picks in the future? Not sure. The Browns will call and they will be aggressive.
You can map this out for the timeline against the biggest name rookies at the position in this year’s draft. You know what Wilson is and the money doesn’t kick into serious cap percentages for a few years, and with creativity, maybe longer. Do you trust Luther Burden or Tetairoa McMillan to become what Wilson has show he is? That would be serious faith in your scouting and process because this below is tough to turn down.
Wilson is special. No doubt that. But the team has two emerging talents in Cedric Tillman and Jerry Jeudy (more on that tomorrow) who have established themselves well with Jameis Winston at the helm. The question is whether is that enough and if premium assets need to spent along the offensive line and improving a dire running game. If the Jets are willing to move Wilson, it’s tough to turn it down. It will be one of the off-season’s most interesting questions.
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