Denzel Ward's projected trade cost proves Browns should not trade him

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Denzel Ward's projected trade cost proves Browns should not trade him originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams this offseason for a massive package that included a first-round pick and Jared Verse.

This team is rebuilding, and that Garrett trade didn't leave any doubt about their plans. Next for the Browns could be a Denzel Ward trade, as there has not been any contract agreement worked out just yet, and a trade could help plan for the future.

However, ESPN's Bill Barnwell projected what Ward's trade cost could be, and if this projection were to hold, it'd prove that the Browns shouldn't trade Ward, but rather sign him to an extension.

Denzel Ward trade value proves Browns should keep him​

"Missing out: TE Harold Fannin Jr., CB Denzel Ward," Barnwell writes. "Ward's still playing at a high level, but at 29, there probably won't be the sort of market Browns fans would hope for if the organization ships out the veteran cornerback."

Barnwell's article for each team's top players' trade value has Ward projected as worth less than a first-round pick. That means the Browns, at-best, could get a second-round pick.

While a second-rounder from a bad team can have value, any team spending that kind of capital on Ward would likely be a Super Bowl contender, and not a potential top-10 drafting team.

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Ward, the 29-year-old cornerback and five-time Pro Bowler, has been a player rumored to be on the trade block this offseason. While it wouldn't be a shocker if he were dealt, Barnwell's projection makes it seem like receiving a first-round pick would be a surprise.

That projection for Ward should show the Browns what they need to do with Ward. Unless they receive a first-rounder or value akin to a first, the Browns should not trade away Ward this offseason.

A multi-year extension to keep Ward around for the next three seasons would be a better use of resources. They will have a ton of money freed up from trading Garrett and Deshaun Watson's deal coming off their books in the near future.

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Along with the Browns likely to take a quarterback in the 2027 NFL Draft, they will have the most expensive position in the NFL on a cheap rookie deal, paired with a lot of other key players still on their rookie deals.

Now is the time to justify a Ward extension, especially since the return they could get in a trade would be less than a first-round pick. Ward is still very good, and even if he only has three more good seasons in him, that's worthwhile for the Browns.

As tempting as it might be to get even more draft capital, trading Ward for the kind of value Barnwell is projecting would be a waste. This trade cost for Ward proves the Browns should keep him, as this projected return wouldn't be good enough for the team.

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