The Cleveland Browns lost starting left tackle Dawand Jones for the season, and they could trade for Saints first-round pick, Trevor Penning, to fill the void. A fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Jones was one of the best selections in recent franchise history. Immediately outplaying his draft capital, Jones secured the blind side for years despite a constantly rotating door at quarterback.
However, with Jones done for the year, Cleveland must now find a starting-caliber option to protect Joe Flacco and, eventually, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. With limited choices available, Trevor Penning might be the best trade option available.
Browns Could Trade For Trevor Penning After Dawand Jones Injury
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cleveland Browns are actively looking for tackle help. The only problem is that most of the available veterans are on the older side, and a player like that won’t help a rebuilding team like the Browns. Solidifying the offensive line makes sense, as this team must protect the aging Joe Flacco and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. However, this team is very much in a rebuild and shouldn’t give up draft picks for aging veterans with limited time left in their careers.
Because of this, Trevor Penning could be the best trade option out there. While he never came close to justifying his first-round draft pedigree, he’s a fine short-term stopgap that shouldn’t cost more than a conditional late-round pick. Now entering the final year of his contract, New Orleans would probably prefer a draft pick over his services, as he likely isn’t in the team’s long-term plans. Penning missed the first three games of the season to injury, but he’s practicing and should be back to full strength. Assuming he can pass a physical, this trade makes perfect sense for both sides.
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