The Cleveland Browns are not done making trades as the NFL draft goes on. After trading for Deshaun Watson, Amari Cooper and Chase Winovich earlier in the offseason, Andrew Berry and company have made a couple of trades during the draft.
The team’s secondary has been full of moves in the last few years including adding Greg Newsome II in the first round last year, extending Denzel Ward this offseason and drafting Martin Emerson this year while adding John Johnson III and Troy Hill in free agency last year.
The addition of Emerson Friday with the team’s first pick this year was a bit of a head-scratcher given all the corners on the roster. Saturday, one of those corners was moved as Hill returns to the Los Angeles Rams:
It’s a future pick going to the #Browns for Hill, who of course played for the #Rams for 6 seasons. https://t.co/RPkMylMGjO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2022
Adding Emerson may have added to the cornerback room but Hill was the team’s starting nickelback on the interior. It will be interesting who steps in as the slot cornerback with Hill’s departure. Ward and Newsome are probably best suited for the position with Greedy Willians and Emerson taking over on the outside.
The return for Hill is not huge but adds another pick in a draft that is expected to be strong:
#Browns trading CB Troy Hill for a 2023 5th
— Jake Trotter (@Jake_Trotter) April 30, 2022
It will be interesting if Hill’s contract is adjusted. As currently constructed, trading Hill would actually cost the team $2.25 million more in cap space than had they kept him.
One year in Cleveland, Hill played in 12 games, starting four. Hill had 49 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks and one pass defended.
