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With the NFL trade deadline coming on Tuesday, November 3rd, several key players on the Cleveland Browns could be on the trading block, according to multiple reports.
It started with Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, who released the first bombshell of the morning about LT Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack:
The #Browns have engaged in discussions about potentially trading two of their best players: LT Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2015
Then, ESPN's Adam Schefter added that OLB Paul Kruger has come up in trade talks, and Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer noted that OLB Barkevious Mingo is also on the trade block, which Rapoport also confirmed:
Amongst the names that have come up in trade discussions before Tuesday's trade deadline: Paul Kruger, VInny Curry, Jared Cook.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2015
#Browns have made it known they're willing to trade LB Barkevious Mingo, their 2013 first-round pick, source told https://t.co/o11vJSOExu
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 1, 2015
The Browns could most certainly get the most value out of Thomas, but that's the one trade I would stay away from unless Cleveland could land a deal-of-the-century for a franchise quarterback or something. Trading Mack, if he's willing to waive his no-trade clause, makes sense when you factor in the selection of OL Cameron Erving in the first round of this year's draft and the fact that Mack can opt out of his contract after this year.
Kruger and Mingo still have a couple of years left on their deal, but they have either underachieved or aren't being utilized very much in the defense for 2015.