Browns Trade OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to Patriots for RB Pierre Strong Jr.
As first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Cleveland Browns have made another trade, this time with the New England Patriots. The Browns send promising offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. to the Patriots in exchange for running back Pierre Strong.
The Browns made a similar trade with the Patriots offseason, sending linebacker Mack Wilson to New England in exchange for pass rusher Chase Winovich. Neither player going to make the roster where they were, the teams swapped them late in the process.
Mack was a special teams contributor for the Patriots. Winovich missed most of the 2022 season due to a hamstring and was still one of the more efficient pass rushers, which served to highlight why the team made so many changes this offseason.
Wheatley wasn't going to make the Browns roster, but almost certainly wouldn't get through waivers, so they traded him.
26 years old, only in his second year out of college and only his second as an offensive tackle. The former tight end was added to the Browns practice squad last offseason with the task of learning the position while gaining weight.
The results this season have been impressive. While it's debatable if he's quite ready for Sunday action, he made significant strides in pass protection. Quick feet, Wheatley showed good instincts on when to engage opponents as a blocker, able to get control and often stop pass rushers before they gain momentum. He's not underpowered either despite making the transition from tight end. Wheatley looks the part from a body composition standpoint as well.
Pierre Strong Jr. was a popular name coming out of the 2022 NFL Draft. Mostly seen as a late round flyer coming out of South Dakota State, Strong had an outstanding athletic profile at 5'11 3/4" 207 pounds along with tremendous production.
Thus far, Strong has only 10 carries in the NFL, but for 100 yards. He's also caught seven passes for another 49 yards, so outside of whatever they've seen in preseason, the Browns are relying on their own evaluation of him coming out in that draft class.
The Patriots have a loaded backfield led by Rhamondre Stevenson and they just added Ezekiel Elliott.
The Browns have Nick Chubb and Jerome Ford, but none of the other running backs distinguished themselves throughout the offseason. They give up a player they were likely to lose anyway in exchange for someone they think can contribute.
