Trade Rumors: Jefferson, Tomlinson, Browns, 49ers, Broncos, Texans

Following the Amari Cooper swap, more Browns seller’s trades are expected. Za’Darius Smith has emerged as perhaps the top post-Cooper trade chip, but two members of their interior D-line profile as candidates to move. More definitively, Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline indicates the Browns will trade Quinton Jefferson if they receive an offer. The nomadic DT has not played since Week 5, with the Browns not receiving much in the way of production on a one-year, $4MM deal. Having played for five teams in the past five seasons (Bills, Raiders, Seahawks, Jets, Browns), Jefferson has been in a number of schemes and has experience at D-tackle and end. He may have drawn some interest already, and it does not sound like it will take much for a team to acquire the 31-year-old D-lineman.

One of the reasons Jefferson is not seeing the field, Dalvin Tomlinson remains the Browns’ lead DT. He is signed to a four-year, $57MM deal, and The Athletic’s Zac Jackson views Tomlinson and Smith as the most likely Browns to be moved at the Nov. 5 deadline. Being the Browns, void years on Tomlinson’s deal have the eighth-year veteran’s base salary at $1.2MM. That would make an acquisition appealing for a team, as Tomlinson has been productive in New York, Minnesota and Cleveland and does not have any guaranteed money due beyond 2024. Pro Football Focus ranked Tomlinson as a top-30 DT from 2017-22 and slots the 30-year-old 31st through eight games.

Here is the latest from the trade market:

• 49ers connections to bolstering their defensive front persist, with Pauline indicating the NFC West club is indeed in the market for help on its depleted D-line. The 49ers, who cut Arik Armstead this offseason, have seen Javon Hargrave lost for perhaps the season. Hargrave’s timetable, which has already included triceps surgery, may allow for a return deep in the playoffs — should the 49ers stay alive that long — according to The Athletic’s Matt Barrows, but it is understandable the 49ers would want help to boost their chances of another NFC West crown. They have been linked to Patriots DT Davon Godchaux. San Francisco has made several buyer’s trades under John Lynch, acquiring the likes of Emmanuel Sanders, Charles Omenihu, Randy Gregory and Chase Young since 2019. Those moves came after their Jimmy Garoppolo acquisition seven years ago today.
• With Stefon Diggs‘ season-ending injury occurring before the deadline, the Texans have a chance to add a piece to help. Houston is believed to be exploring such a move, but SI.com’s Albert Breer pushes back on that a bit. The veteran NFL reporter predicts the Texans stand down and give reps to backups like John Metchie and Robert Woods over chasing a marginal piece to complement Tank Dell and, when he returns from a hamstring injury, Nico Collins.
• The Broncos have been linked to potential seller’s moves despite their 5-3 record, with Courtland Sutton and Baron Browning the notable names thrown around as trade chips. But Sutton also anchors an otherwise thin Denver pass-catching corps. A case can be made Denver needs to add talent to boost Bo Nix‘s development rather than subtract. While the Broncos could simply opt to give every possible rep to rookies Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele, Breer offers a plausible scenario exists the team adds at either receiver or tight end. Adam Trautman‘s 85-yard showing against the Panthers aside, the Broncos have received little from their tight ends this season. Third-rounder Greg Dulcich has drifted to healthy-scratch status. Sean Payton has made a notable buyer’s trade at tight end before, obtaining Jeremy Shockey from the Giants. Though, that move came just before training camp in 2008.