The Cleveland Browns are reportedly seriously looking to trade Joe Haden, and these five teams should have some interest.
The Cleveland Browns are in a constant state of rebuild, with a revolving door at quarterback and a lack of proven players and depth on the roster. So any declining, expensive veteran could be on the trade block, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was first to report cornerback Joe Haden is being “aggressively” shopped.
Haden’s contract is a barrier to a trade, with $11.1 million due to him this year, $11.2 million in 2018 and $10.5 million in 2019. Not all of that money is fully guaranteed, but it’s still a pretty significant burden for another team to take on.
Haden is a two-time Pro Bowler (2013 and 2014), but injuries have hampered him over the last two seasons. A concussion and a finger injury cost him 11 games in 2015, and he missed three games last year with multiple groin issues that required postseason surgery. Late last season, he was ranked 104th out of 121 qualified cornerbacks by Pro Football Focus and that ranking only marginally improved over the final two games.
The Browns may find a very limited trade market for Haden, but these five teams could enter the mix in an attempt to buy low on him.
5. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys lost some notable pieces in the secondary in free agency, and their own free agent signing Nolan Carroll is likely facing some eventual discipline from the league after a DUI arrest in May. Rookie Chidobe Awuzie would then be in line to start at cornerback opposite Orlando Scandrick, who has been hit by injuries himself over the last two seasons.
Haden’s contract is an obvious concern, but Tony Romo’s retirement did give the Cowboys some late salary cap relief. Haden may be best deployed in something less than a full-time role right now, and Dallas can offer that while bolstering their cornerback situation with a more proven player. Not that Haden will have any real say in where he is traded to, but Dallas is also a winning team with high expectations.
Jerry Jones is not afraid to take some risks, and Haden is a relatively low one right now if he can get healthy. Parting with a future mid-round draft pick should be no trouble for the Cowboys.
4. New Orleans Saints
At last year’s trade deadline, the Saints were among the teams with reported interest in Haden. But the asking price was too high for them, and that may remain the same now despite La Canfora’s report of some serious motivation on Cleveland’s end.
But the Saints have a short window to win as currently constructed, with quarterback Drew Brees entering a contract year and ongoing rumors head coach Sean Payton will leave at the first good opportunity to do so. Three straight 7-9 seasons hasn’t cut it, albeit in a competitive division that has the last two NFC champions, with a bad defense as the constant primary culprit.
The Saints are also already down a cornerback, at least to start the season, with Delvin Breaux expected to start he season on short-term IR with a fractured left fibula. Rookie Marcus Lattimore will absolutely help the situation, but New Orleans still needs some help in the secondary. Haden, even in an injury-diminished state, can be an asset.
Haden’s contract may be the biggest barrier for the Saints though. They are constantly salary cap-strapped, so they may have to send a player to the Browns in a trade along with a draft pick to make it work. But those details should not prevent New Orleans from renewing their interest in Haden, at least initially.
3. Miami Dolphins
After ending a playoff drought in Adam Gase’s first season as head coach, the Dolphins are trying to maintain that momentum. The signing of Jay Cutler to replace an injured Ryan Tannehill under center proves it absolutely, as expectations would not be nearly as high if Matt Moore were in line to start.
Miami defense has struggled this preseason, particularly against the pass and on third down. The starters played the entire first half against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, and they allowed 426 total yards and 10-for-17 on third down conversions for the game as a whole.
Gase said “all options are up” at cornerback with Week 1 on the horizon. There is some solid depth in place, and rookie third-round pick Cordrea Tankersley has graded out very nicely this preseason. But there’s always room for another capable corner in a pass-happy league, as the Dolphins try to compete with the Patriots.
Haden would be a solid fit in Miami, if the financial obligation can be made to fit too. Among teams that can take the calculated risk, the Dolphins seem to stand out.
2. Indianapolis Colts
The injury hits keep coming for the Colts, this time with the new cornerback Vontae Davis will miss multiple regular season games with a groin injury. Now, Indianapolis’ top three healthy corners are former undrafted free agent Rashaan Melvin and two rookies in Quincy Wilson and Nate Hairston. Recently signed veterans Chris Culliver and Corey White are also in the mix, along with second-year man (and already converted safety) T.J. Green. If that cornerback depth doesn’t excite you, you are not alone.
But the Colts can still be competitive in the AFC South, even with the questionable status of quarterback Andrew Luck (right shoulder) until further notice. Adding Haden would help a particularly weak area defensively, assuming he can stay on the field and even if he’s possibly in the decline phase of his career at 28 years old. If a transition to safety is possible, or even likely, Indianapolis should not be picky in that scenario.
There won’t be a team on this list without some mention of Haden’s contract. But the Colts have over $20 million in salary cap space (via Spotrac), and they could take on Haden’s 2017 salary without an issue. A combination of major need and financial ability has the Colts in the conversation to be No. 1 on this list. But not quite.
1. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay had the 31st-ranked pass defense in the league last season, and they were torched by Dak Prescott and Matt Ryan in the playoffs. They then used their first two draft picks this spring on the secondary (cornerback Kevin King and safety Josh Jones), rightfully so, while bringing cornerback Davon House back in free agency. But more talent is needed, and Haden could be a fit.
An idea regarding the Packers trading backup quarterback Brett Hundley for Haden has immediately surfaced. But with a commitment to rookie DeShone Kizer under center, that may not have great appeal for the Browns. But Cleveland could be looking to add better depth at quarterback, and Hundley would be a flippable asset if Kizer shows he can stick.
From Green Bay’s end, Haden would at least be a nice depth piece in the secondary and a veteran presence. It can questioned whether or not he’s worth the salary he’ll draw, and he’s probably not, but the Packers have enough salary cap room to absorb Haden’s $11.1 million this year if they want to try to swing a trade for him.
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Due mostly to defensive shortcomings, the Packers have regularly underachieved in the playoffs during the best years of Aaron Rodgers. Adding Haden is not likely to fix that on its own, but general manager Ted Thompson should already have a call in to the Browns.