Should the Browns work out a trade for RB Jonathan Taylor? Let’s explore

When Todd Monken was hired as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, he let it known that his new offense would feature quite a bit of 12 and 13 personnel, be involved in the short passing game, and run the ball.

Well, the first two have been featured, but running the ball hasn’t exactly gone as planned.

RELATED:NFL TRADE DEADLINE – BROWNS CONNECTED TO EDGE RUSHERS

In fact, Cleveland’s run game has failed. It is not good. Anytime a new system is put into place, obviously things don’t change overnight. This will take time, and we get it. However, the Browns have a decent team this year. They currently have a good record and are tied for first place in the division. Maybe waiting for next year has nobody interested.

Overall, according to ESPN, the Browns are ranked #29 in total offense.

The offense is ranked #23 in total yards (564), #17 in rushing attempts (155), #27 in average yards per carry (3.6), #26 in rushing touchdowns (3), #26 in first-down conversions via the run (29), and #10 in rushing plays for 20+ yards (4).

Look at the team’s total rushing yards by game so far in 2026:

• @ Jacksonville: 87
• @ Tampa Bay: 44
• Carolina: 132
• Pittsburgh: 112
• @ NY Jets: 96
• Baltimore: 93

The NFL trade deadline is still weeks away on November 10, 4:00 (Eastern). But already, WR Marvin Harrison jr., QB J.J. McCarthy, C Cam Jurgens, and CB Joey Porter Jr. have been shipped off to new homes.

Should the Browns consider making a trade for one of the league’s best running backs? Namely, Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.

So, what’s the issue?

Well, right out of the gate, Cleveland hasn’t had healthy running backs. In the last game against the Baltimore Ravens, neither of their two starting running backs was even on the roster to begin the season.

Jaleel McLaughlin was in Denver Broncos training camp and was a last-day cut. Two days later, he signed to the Browns practice squad. Audric Estime was on the practice squad of the Minnesota Vikings. This meant that, except for FB Michael Burton, the entire running back room against Baltimore was practice squad athletes.

Cleveland’s starting RB, Quinshon Judkins, has been out since he injured his ankle in the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets. His projected backup, Dylan Sampson, sustained a knee injury in the opening game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both have a projection of returning to the field against the Tennessee Titans. Raheim Sanders has nine carries for 43 yards and a single TD.

In five games this year, Judkins has 73 rushes for 221 yards, a single TD, and has averaged just 3.0 yards per carry. He also has 18 receptions for 102 yards. Is that good? Does this need improvement?

Cleveland sits at 4-2-0. And that is in spite of a stellar rushing attack. What would this offense be if this offense had a stud running back?

The Colts are in a tailspin this season. They have already fired their GM. They may start selling off their key pieces, including Taylor. Think about what this offense would look like if Taylor were to be starting behind QB Deshaun Watson on game days.

Taylor has played in one more game than Judkins and already has 492 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Seven! He is also active in the short passing game with 15 receptions for 163 yards.

Another issue is that Cleveland’s offensive line features two rookies. Pro Football Focus (PFF) currently ranks the Browns offensive line group at #22. That is a huge detriment in trying to run the ball.

PFF run blocking grades:

LT Spencer Fano: 57.7

LG Zion Johnson: 67.3

C Elgton Jenkins: 56.1

RG Austin Barber: 73.0

RT Tytus Howard: 58.6

But as fans and the media, there seems to be a constant dialogue to badmouth the offensive line. It’s a steady out when things just don’t go right, and the quarterback is getting sacked eight times in a game. But consider this: The Browns replaced all five guys along the offensive line from last year. All of them.

An offensive line isn’t five individual players, but one cohesive group. And that group needs time to gel. The season is entering the seventh week, but Cleveland’s O-Line hasn’t had six weeks together. OT Dawand Jones has subbed in for RT Howard. C Luke Wypler had to take over for Jenkins in a game. And how many weeks has RG Tevin Jenkins missed due to a back injury? Maybe this offensive line is great. Maybe it can become one of the best groups in the league, but it must be able to play together for a while.

Taylor, age 27, is listed as the #6 running back in the league. He would be a major upgrade to the running back room and would vault this offense from not being able to run to taking over games.

As Cleveland keeps winning with an eye towards the postseason, it would seem that a deal to bring in Taylor would become an ideal situation without really thinking about it too much.  

Why Cleveland may not make the Taylor trade

The beauty with sticking with Judkins is the fact that he remains on his rookie deal that is paying him $1.4 million with a cap hit of just $2.6 million with two more years remaining. In contrast, Taylor is making $6.9 million with a cap hit of $16.2 million that ends this year.

Which means any trade for Taylor will come with a huge extension.

A trade for Taylor could be expensive. Right now, Cleveland has two first-round draft picks, a second and a third, and three fourth-round selections. What would it take to acquire Taylor?  

According to Jacob Richard of the Cleveland Browns on SI, it won’t be cheap:

“The Colts will be asking for a first-or second-round pick plus a late pick swap for Taylor. Quinshon Judkins showed promise in his rookie season, is adjusting to rushing from the shotgun position, and with experience, he will get better.”

One reason for Taylor’s ascent this year is the Colts offensive line, which PFF ranks #3 and is coming off a 1,585-yard season, and remains one of the best running backs in the NFL. Having the meat upfront to move huge bodies out of the way is certainly an advantage. Taylor would not be getting that sort of run blocking if he came to the Browns.

In 2024, the San Francisco 49ers acquired RB Christian McCaffrey for a 2023 second-round pick, a third-round pick, a fourth-round pick, plus a fifth-round pick in 2024. It is doubtful that the Colts would get as much for Taylor, but this seems to be the parameter at the moment.

Once Cleveland’s coaches get their running backs back healthy and in-house, Monken can evaluate what he has and if he needs to have GM Andrew Berry reach out for one of the league’s stud running backs. He just may decide that what he has will work out.

“The potential for Cleveland’s running backs has not been touched, and the offense will benefit when the group is full and healthy. If the Browns wish to add to the room, then they have other options. The rushing attack is not a finished product, and there is still plenty of time for improvement without having to drain the resources by trading for Taylor.”

Without looking forward to solving this in next year’s NFL Draft, perhaps when Judkins and Sampson are completely healthy and are getting snaps in live action, the run game will improve. Then again, maybe not.

The clock is ticking on the trade deadline. And you can be certain that there are other teams that have this same idea for Taylor. If the Browns are indeed buyers and see Taylor as the bell cow looking forward to a playoff run, they will need to strike quickly.    

What do you think, should the Browns trade for Taylor, given the estimated cost, or keep riding with what they have?