Report: Contenders will look to make push to trade for Browns LT Joe Thomas

Sunday morning, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that interest is starting to drum up again for Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas on the trade market. Unlike some previous reports that have said Cleveland is shopping players, La Canfora notes that this time, it is other teams who are trying to assess what the Browns are willing to take for Thomas.

Contending teams are assessing what it might take to land star left tackle Joe Thomas, according to league sources. The Browns have maintained they would not deal Thomas, 31, in the past, but with the team winless and already on its third quarterback, and with injuries mounting and Josh Gordon now in rehab, rival execs believe the franchise tackle could be in play if the price is right. The Browns turned down an offer from the Broncos last year that would have sent promising pass rusher Shane Ray and a second-round pick to Cleveland, sources said. Some execs believe a tackle-needy contender could offer a first-round pick before the Nov. 1 trade deadline.

It is interesting to hear about Shane Ray being a player the Broncos were trying to offer last year. Other reports had said that Cleveland wanted Shaquil Barrett in the package instead, but Denver wouldn’t budge on him.

La Canfora lists the Seahawks, Cardinals, and Panthers as three teams who could be interested. A first-round pick by those teams would likely be around 20th or later, but having three first-round picks in 2017 would certainly be enticing for a regime that has already been stockpiling draft picks.