Ian Rapoport reports Browns Defensive Back on the Trading Block
The Cleveland Browns have been linked to all sorts of trade scenarios. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is the latest with an article that suggests defensive back T.J. Carrie is on the trading block. The Browns are currently carrying 12 defensive backs on their roster and Carrie is one of the most expendable that could actually bring back something in return.
Carrie is at his best operating out of the slot, providing physicality and the ability to make tackles to the position while still playing effectively in coverage. With hamstring injuries forcing both Denzel Ward and Greedy Williams to miss time, Carrie has been pressed into duty on the boundary. He can do it, but he's not as effective there.
The problem with Carrie is his contract. Entering the year, his performance seemed irrelevant due to the upcoming contracts the Browns were doing to have to negotiate. Carrie is set to make $8.15 million in 2020, but only $900,000 is a bonus the Browns would have to eat if they move him. There are some roster and workout bonuses, but obviously if the Browns move him now, those would no longer be a factor for Cleveland.
Carrie was signed in the same offseason as Chris Hubbard and both contracts had significant cap figures early in the deals with reasonable outs after the second year. Short of an almost miraculous improvement in play or being depleted enough to need them, this was an inevitability.
It's difficult to know just how much interest there is around the NFL for a player like Carrie, but if they can get something for him, like a draft pick, it would be a prudent move. The slot position would take a small hit, but they have players that can fill that role for Carrie. John Dorsey's widely reported interest in offensive tackles makes it seem as though he's shopping a player like Carrie to get another option for the left side, especially as they've just benched Greg Robinson this week.
