Browns' first-round pick on trade block is perfect target for Chargers

The LA Chargers have not been shy in adding talent since hiring Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz. Hortiz has already made more in-season trades for talent (two at the very beginning of the season) than former GM Tom Telesco made in his 11-year tenure. With that in mind, the NFL trade block is actually something Chargers fans can monitor.

It may not be like the NBA or MLB, but there are quite a few teams in the league who will move talent before the Nov. 5 deadline. There should be plenty of player movement before then, with the next two weeks of games helping teams decide if they are sellers or buyers.

One team that does not need the next two weeks to know what it is going to do is the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland has just one win to this point in the season and with Deshaun Watson out for the year, the focus has already turned to 2025 and beyond.

Thus, expect Cleveland to sell off any assets that have interest, as the team already did with Amari Cooper. One such player that should interest the Chargers, and almost certainly is on the NFL trade block, is former first-round pick Greg Newsome.

Chargers must call Browns to work out Greg Newsome trade

The defense has been an area of strength for the Chargers this season so adding Newsome would not be a move that fills a roster hole. Instead, it would be an example of a team leaning into its strengths.

This is not a bad strategy as the Chargers will go as far as the defense will take them in 2024. While the Chargers can add receiver help at the deadline, it is hard to imagine one person completely reinventing the offensive side of the ball. Thus, while the Chargers need to raise the floor of the offense, they should look to raise the ceiling of the defense.

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Newsome would thrive in Jesse Minter's defensive scheme and would give the Chargers depth at a cornerback position that is banged up. Asante Samuel Jr. is currently on the IR while Kristian Fulton has been dealing with a lingering knee injury that resulted in him missing snaps in Week 6.

Adding Newsome would remedy some of these holes right away and when everyone is healthy, would give the Chargers a stout cornerback room that can be rotated to keep every guy fresh.

The most appealing part of trading for Newsome is how he would help the team past the 2024 season as well. Newsome has one more year under contract at a $13.37 million cap hit (fifth-year rookie option). That is a great price for a player of Newsome's caliber, and is a shorter commitment the Chargers can pivot away from if needed.

All in all, trading for Newsome makes all the sense in the world if the Chargers are serious about being a playoff contender in 2024.