INDIANAPOLIS — The Cleveland Browns finished 2025 with a dismal 5-12 record, a revolving door at quarterback, and an offensive line that looked more like a turnstile than a wall. With the NFL Scouting Combine kicking off next week, General Manager Andrew Berry is already on the clock. The mission? Fix the trenches before rookie quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel take another snap behind that porous front.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has a solution, and it doesn’t involve burning a premium draft pick. The proposal? A low-risk swap that brings veteran offensive tackle Walker Little to The Land.
The Trade Proposal: Buying Low on a Former Starter
Barnwell’s logic is simple: The Jaguars have moved on, and the Browns are desperate. In this proposed deal, Cleveland sends a 2026 fifth-round pick to Jacksonville in exchange for OT Walker Little and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
This trade capitalizes on Jacksonville’s crowded offensive line room. With Cole Van Lanen locking down the left tackle spot and Anton Harrison on the right, Little has become an expensive luxury the Jaguars can’t afford. He carries a cap hit north of $14 million in 2026, a figure Jacksonville is likely eager to shed.
“It doesn’t seem like Little is in Jacksonville’s plans,” Barnwell noted. “If Van Lanen is at left tackle, that would leave Robert Hainsey at center, Anton Harrison at right tackle… The Jags could bump Little inside to replace Ezra Cleveland, but third-round pick Wyatt Milum is likely to have the inside path to that role.”
Why It Makes Sense for Cleveland
The Browns’ offensive line was a disaster in 2025. Injuries and inconsistency plagued the unit, leaving the backfield exposed. Little offers something the Browns crave: versatility and experience.
Heading into his sixth NFL season, Little has 39 starts under his belt. While his 2025 campaign was rocky—PFF slapped him with a 62.7 offensive grade and credited him with allowing nine sacks—his 2024 season showed promise. That year, he posted a respectable 72.8 grade and surrendered only two sacks on over 300 pass-blocking reps. The talent is there; he just needs a change of scenery and a scheme that fits his strengths.
For Cleveland, flipping a fifth-round pick for a 27-year-old tackle who can slide inside to guard is a gamble worth taking. It allows Berry to use his two first-round picks (No. 6 and No. 24) on explosive playmakers or defensive stalwarts, rather than reaching for a developmental tackle.
“We need guys who can be dogs up front. It’s not about the name on the back of the jersey, it’s about keeping the pocket clean. If you can’t protect, you can’t play in this division.”
— Anonymous AFC North Scout on the Browns’ OL needs
What’s Next: The Combine Crunch
The trade buzz will only get louder when the league descends on Indianapolis next week. With new Head Coach Todd Monken looking to install his offense, acquiring a veteran like Little before free agency opens would be a massive strategic win. It stabilizes the line immediately and gives the front office clarity heading into the draft.
If the Jaguars are truly ready to move on, expect Andrew Berry to make the call. The Browns have 10 picks in the 2026 draft—they have the ammo to make this happen without blinking.
