AFC North trade targets: Why Browns should reunite with former QB

The NFL trade deadline is deadline Oct. 31. Here are deals each team in the AFC North should make.

Baltimore Ravens: Acquire RB Saquon Barkley from Giants

Ever since running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1, the Ravens have been searching for another dynamic runner besides, of course, QB Lamar Jackson. Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in 2018, would certainly be that, and he is likely to be on a new team in 2024 anyway after being hit with the franchise tag this offseason.

Former NFL LB and CBS Sports analyst Bart Scott believes Baltimore could acquire Barkley for "a second-round pick" and says the trade would be "equivalent" to San Francisco's deal for RB Christian McCaffrey a year ago.

The Ravens were in contract talks with Dobbins, which proves they are willing to pay the position when the rest of the NFL seems to feel otherwise, but they may not want to pay him following his second such injury. The Giants seem to be nearing a rebuild after starting 1-5, and Barkley could be the missing piece to a Super Bowl run for Baltimore.

Cincinnati Bengals: Trade for TE Zach Ertz from Cardinals

The Bengals are slowly starting to get their groove back on offense, but with WR Tee Higgins underwhelming and the tight end position practically nonexistent, they could use another playmaker. Enter Ertz, who would be a perfect addition.

The 32-year-old has proved he still has gas left in the tank with 24 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown on the season, and he could help fill the void that was left by Hayden Hurst, who left to join the Panthers in free agency.

The Cardinals (1-5) must plan for the future and have second-year TE Trey McBride ready to take on a larger role, but he won't get that opportunity with Ertz still playing well. Arizona traded a fifth-round pick for Ertz in 2021. Cincinnati could now take the veteran for a similar late-round draft selection.

Cleveland Browns: Acquire QB Jacoby Brissett from Commanders

Major questions continue to surround QB Deshaun Watson as he deals with a shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined since Week 4. Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson is still "day-to-day," but there seems to be less confidence in the $230M quarterback every week.

This is why the Browns should consider reuniting with Brissett, who started 11 games with the team in 2022. His 4-7 record wasn't flashy, but Cleveland's defense, which ranks as the best in total yards allowed per game (200.4) and the fifth-best team in points allowed per game (15.4), is championship caliber.

The Commanders (3-3) seem to be all in on second-year QB Sam Howell, at least for the remainder of the season, and the Browns need better quarterback play. Backup QB P.J. Walker threw for 192 yards and two interceptions in Week 6, and rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for 121 yards and three interceptions in Week 4. Brissett would bring the insurance at quarterback that Cleveland is missing.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Trade for CB Jaylon Johnson from Bears

The Steelers need some help in the secondary after veteran cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace have continually been beaten in 2023. The two have allowed 41 catches on 70 targets this season. Johnson, who has allowed just eight receptions, per Pro Football Focus, would be a great addition.

The former 2020 second-round pick is in the final year of his rookie deal and has already been named as a free-agent target for Pittsburgh. So why not go get him now and test him out before free agency?

The 24-year-old would bring a much higher upside to the position and shouldn't cost too much to acquire. The Bears (1-5), who are projected to have the first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, certainly have their sights on the future, and Johnson could be the perfect complement to rookie CB Joey Porter Jr. in Pittsburgh for years to come.