This Browns-Jets Trade for Jamal Adams Could Actually Work

The Cleveland Browns desperately need some help at the safety position in 2020. Damarious Randall, Eric Murray, and Juston Burris have all signed elsewhere, and while the Browns have added Andrew Sendejo and Karl Joseph, the latter faces questions surrounding his past injuries.

Drafting a top safety is one option. The Browns own the No. 10 overall pick but aren't likely to target a safety there based on offensive line needs; they could alternativly wait until No. 41 overall to grab one. Their option is making a blockbuster trade for a star safety -- Jamal Adams fits that description, and the Browns could make the New York Jets quite the offer.

Adams is entering his fourth professional season and wants an extension. If the team simply picks up his fifth-year option without that extension, a holdout will likely be in the offing. The Jets can avoid any possible drama -- especially if there is no interest on the team's end for a market-setting extension -- by trading him to Cleveland.

The Browns need a safety, and rumors have emerged of the team willing to trade out of that No. 10 overall pick. A deal that should work for New York is sending Adams in exchange for that No. 10 pick, with the Browns throwing in a 2021 third-round selection to sweeten the pot.

The key with the move is signing Adams to an extension right away. That gives the Browns a proven star at the position on a long-term deal. The focus can then be shifted to using their remaining picks to fill other major positions of need, including offensive tackle and linebacker. At the same time the Jets get the No. 10 pick and move on from a player who will only cause drama if he is not in the team's future plans.