The Cleveland Browns are likely to attack their need at the wide receiver position both through the draft as well as adding in free agency. While most of the big-name free agents, including Mike Williams, are unlikely to make it to free agency and the history of paying a receiver big money to switch teams is dreadful, Cleveland may not have a lot of choice.
One way to avoid the problems that can come with signing a free agent from another team, including the outlandish price tag, is by trading for one.
We’ve mentioned Calvin Ridley as a target for the team since our Browns Mock Offseason 1.0 dropped a few weeks ago. During his first three seasons in the league, Ridley never had less than 800 yards receiving including over 1,300 yards in 2020.
He is likely available via trade due to two reasons. First, the Atlanta Falcons have a need to reduce their salary cap. Second, Ridley left the team last year to address mental health concerns after five games.
At the NFL combine, Falcons brass said “there’s no update” on Ridley’s situation. Ridley seemed to provide an update of his own through a simple tweet:
🏈 Is life
— CALVIN RIDLEY (@CalvinRidley1) March 5, 2022
If Ridley has taken care of his mental health needs and is able to commit back to football, because it “… is life,” then he should have a number of suitors for his services. For Cleveland, Ridley could give them a high-level receiver familiar with the style of system Kevin Stefanski runs at, possibly, a reasonable trade price.
Adding Ridley or another lead receiver could free up the Browns to select at another position early in the NFL draft or take pressure off that rookie receiver that would be selected.
